Table 1.
Characteristics of patients referred for investigation of suspected heart failure. Figures are number (percentage) of patients unless stated otherwise
| Men (n=34) | Women (n=75) | All (n=109) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean (SD) age (years) | 70 (13) | 72 (11) | 71 (11) |
| Mean (SD) heart rate (beats/min) | 72 (18) | 75 (15) | 74 (16) |
| Mean (SD) systolic blood pressure (mm Hg) | 148 (19) | 154 (24) | 152 (23) |
| Mean (SD) diastolic blood pressure (mm Hg) | 84 (9) | 85 (11) | 85 (11) |
| Symptoms† | |||
| Short of breath at rest | 11 (32) | 16 (21) | 2 (25) |
| Short of breath on exertion | 29 (85) | 71 (95) | 100 (92) |
| Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea | 8 (24) | 17 (23) | 25 (23) |
| Ankle swelling | 14 (41) | 60 (80) | 74 (68) |
| Concomitant conditions*: | |||
| Hypertension | 16 (47) | 35 (47) | 51 (47) |
| Myocardial infarction | 6 (18) | 6 (8) | 12 (11) |
| Angina | 12 (35) | 19 (25) | 31 (28) |
| CABG | 5 (15) | 2 (3) | 7 (6) |
| Pulmonary disease | 9 (26) | 17 (23) | 25 (23) |
| Cigarette smoking | |||
| None | 4 (12) | 29 (39) | 33 (30) |
| Current | 12 (35) | 17 (23) | 29 (27) |
| Former | 18 (53) | 29 (39) | 47 (43) |
| Medication† | |||
| Diuretics | 28 (80) | 57 (76) | 85 (78) |
| β blockers | 9 (26) | 9 (12) | 18 (17) |
| Nitrates | 10 (30) | 12 (16) | 22 (20) |
| Calcium channel blockers | 7 (21) | 15 (20) | 22 (20) |
| ACE inhibitors | 2 (6) | 4 (5) | 6 (6) |
| Aspirin | 14 (41) | 19 (25) | 33 (30) |
| Inhaled β2 agonists | 7 (21) | 15 (20) | 22 (20) |
| Inhaled corticosteroids | 4 (12) | 4 (5) | 8 (7) |
| Hypoglycaemic agents | 2 (6) | 4 (5) | 6 (6) |
| Lipid lowering drugs | 2 (6) | 1 (1) | 3 (3 |
| NSAIDs | 3 (9) | 6 (8) | 9 (8) |
| Digoxin | 1 (3) | 3 (4) | 4 (4) |
| Warfarin | 1 (3) | 1 (1) | 2 (2) |
*
Not mutually exclusive, patients can be in more than one category. CABG: coronary artery bypass grafting; ACE: angiotensin converting enzyme; NSAID: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.