Cleland, Lainscak, Pellicori editorial (EHJ, during HF26) revises global heart failure prevalence: historical ~60M figures reflect symptomatic HF in registries, but contemporary population-based echo screening including stage A/B, HFpEF and structural/functional abnormalities consistently finds 8–12% of older adults — implying a global population >600 million. Calls for international case-definition consensus, routine NT-proBNP + echo screening in primary care, and HF prevalence in national CV registries. Frames HF as a population-health emergency rather than a sub-specialty problem.
Editorial reviewing recent population-level evidence on heart failure (HF) prevalence and projecting that the global HF population may now exceed 600 million when broader, contemporary definitions are applied. Historical figures of 60 million reflect symptomatic HF in registries; population-based echocardiography studies including stage A/B HF, HFpEF and structural/functional abnormalities consistently identify 8–12% of older adults, implying a far larger denominator. The authors argue for international consensus on case definitions, routine inclusion of natriuretic peptides and echocardiography in primary-care screening of high-risk patients, and integration of HF prevalence reporting into national cardiovascular registries. Implications: HF should be treated as a population-health emergency, not a sub-specialty problem, and resource allocation needs to scale accordingly.
