About Heart Failure
Stages of Heart Failure
Classification systems of the various stages of heart failure have been developed to help physicians determine the severity of the condition and develop a program to treat your heart. To determine the best course of treatment, physicians may classify heart failure using one of two measurements.
There are two different systems because one focuses on the symptoms of the disease, while the other focuses on the physical functioning of the heart. While physicians will use both to define heart failure, the New York Heart Association is more established and will be the focus on this website.
New York Heart Association (NYHA) Classification Scale
This scale classifies heart failure in categories from one to four based on a patient's symptoms. In NYHA Class I heart failure, the mildest form, individuals can perform everyday activities and not feel winded or fatigued. NYHA Class IV is the most severe, and individuals are short of breath even at rest. The NYHA classification system is very useful for physicians and nurses who treat patients with heart failure. It helps them determine if the condition is improving, staying the same or getting worse. It is also used in research studies to evaluate the effectiveness of new heart failure treatments.
Click here to see the classification scale in more detail.
American College of Cardiology (ACC) / American Heart Association (AHA) Classification System
This newer classification system uses the letters A to D to define the heart's condition. The system includes a category for individuals who are at risk of developing heart failure. For example, a person who has several risk factors for heart failure is Stage A. Even though this person may not yet have symptoms of heart failure or any structural abnormality of the heart, physicians can use this classification to identify the risk factors and begin early, more aggressive treatment to help prevent or delay the onset of heart failure.
Click here to see the classification scale in more detail.
