Healthwise
To print: Use your web browser's print feature. Close this window after printing.

Heart Failure Stages

Table of Contents

Overview

The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association have devised a classification system for heart failure. It categorizes heart failure based on how the disease progresses in most people. Under this system, heart failure is classified by stages A through D.1

Stages of heart failure

Stage

Definition

Examples

A

Person is at high risk for developing heart failure. But there is no structural disorder of the heart.

Person has high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, diabetes, a history of substance use disorder, a personal history of rheumatic fever, or a family history of cardiomyopathy.

B

Person has a structural disorder of the heart. But the person has never had symptoms of heart failure.

Person has structural changes to the left ventricle, has heart valve disease, or has had a heart attack.

C

Person has past or current symptoms of heart failure. Symptoms are linked with underlying structural heart disease.

Person has shortness of breath or fatigue caused by structural heart disease. Or the person does not have symptoms and is getting treatment for prior symptoms of heart failure.

D

Person has end-stage disease. He or she needs specialized treatment strategies.

Person is often hospitalized for heart failure or cannot be safely discharged from the hospital. Or the person is in the hospital waiting for a heart transplant. Or the person is at home getting continuous intravenous support for symptom relief or being supported with a mechanical circulatory assistive device. Or the person is in a hospice setting for the management of heart failure.

References

Citations

  1. Yancy CW, et al. (2013). 2013 ACCF/AHA Guideline for the management of heart failure: A report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 62(16): e147–e239.

Credits for Heart Failure Stages

Current as of: September 7, 2022

Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board:
Rakesh K. Pai MD, FACC - Cardiology, Electrophysiology
E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine
Martin J. Gabica MD - Family Medicine
Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine
Stephen Fort MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology

Note: The "printer friendly" document will not contain all the information available in the online document. Some information (e.g. cross-references to other topics, definitions or medical illustrations) is only available in the online version.

© 1995-2023 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.

The Health Encyclopedia contains general health information. Not all treatments or services described are covered benefits for Kaiser Permanente members or offered as services by Kaiser Permanente. For a list of covered benefits, please refer to your Evidence of Coverage or Summary Plan Description. For recommended treatments, please consult with your health care provider.