Second Universal Definition of Heart Failure (2026)<\/p>\n
Source: JACC, Circulation, European Heart Journal & Global Heart, July 2026; reported by TCTMD, July 1, 2026.<\/p>\n
* Introduces a simpler way to classify HF moving away from rigid LVEF cutoffs.
\n\u2022\u2060 \u2060Classifies HF into three clinically actionable phenotypes:
\n* HFrEF \u2013 Heart failure with reduced EF.
\n* HFimpEF \u2013 Heart failure with improved EF.
\n* HFpEF \u2013 Heart failure with preserved EF.
\n\u2022\u2060 \u2060HFimpEF is not a cure\u2014patients remain at risk of recurrent LV dysfunction, hospitalization, and sudden cardiac death, and should continue guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) with long-term follow-up.
\n\u2022\u2060 \u2060Reinforces the HF continuum: Stage A (at risk) \u2192 Stage B (Pre-HF)-Asymptomatic structural heart disease\u2192 Stage C (symptomatic HF) \u2192 Stage D (advanced HF).
\n\u2022\u2060 \u2060Recommends classifying HF by its underlying etiology, not just ischemic vs nonischemic, to enable cause-specific treatment (e.g., amyloidosis, valvular, hypertensive, genetic, inflammatory, pregnancy-related, metabolic, toxic, etc.).
\n\u2022\u2060 \u2060Recognizes HF as a dynamic disease that may improve, remit, or progress, highlighting the importance of personalized prevention and management.<\/p>\n