Heart Failure in Older Adults: A Geriatrician Call for Action

Conclusion

Randomized control trials as well as thoughtful observational studies of HF in patients with advanced age and comorbidities, although challenging, are needed to create the evidence base for treatment interventions and assessing their impact on mortality, morbidity, and QOL in this rapidly growing segment of our population.

Given the lack of evidence for HF treatment in patients with advanced age, the clinician should weigh the knowledge of the effect of aging on the CV system, and the lived experience of patients with HF, with the evidence that exists for making the best decision to relieve bothersome symptoms and improve outcomes of care as determined by patients and their caregivers.

Often the most important intervention we can offer our patients, especially those nearing the end of life, is dedicating our time to truly and actively listen with empathy, understating, and respect for their autonomy and for their decision making. And in doing so we accept our own limitations with humility.
 

Acknowledgments
Dr. Kheirbek received funds from the Veterans Affairs Capitol Health Care Network to establish the Center for Health and Aging at the Washington DC VA Medical Center.