New Heart-Failure Guidelines Highlight Personalized Treatment for HFpEF Patients

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction can be difficult to recognize because the heart's pumping strength may appear relatively normal even though patients experience significant symptoms such as breathlessness, fatigue and swelling. The updated ACC guidance stresses the importance of distinguishing HFpEF from other conditions that can produce similar symptoms.

The new approach considers factors including visceral obesity, inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, kidney disease and cardiovascular risk. It also incorporates evidence supporting treatments such as SGLT2 inhibitors, nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists and incretin-based therapies.

The guidance is significant because delayed recognition of HFpEF can allow symptoms and associated conditions to worsen. The ACC recommends structured assessment and individualized treatment rather than applying the same strategy to every patient.