Increased Pulse Pressure and Risk of Heart Failure in the Elderly

Abstract
The prevalence of congestive heart failure (CHF), an important cause of morbidity and mortality, will increase with the aging of the US population. The incidence of CHF doubles in each decade after the age of 45 years, and CHF is the leading hospital diagnosis in those older than 65 years.1 Risk factors such as hypertension have been well described.2 However, data are sparse regarding other risk factors for CHF specifically in the elderly.