ABSTRACT
The most appropriate clinical management necessitates a comprehensive evaluation of the patient's clinical state, an accurate diagnosis of all their medical conditions, and an understanding of their social circumstances. Interventions are undertaken mainly for symptomatic reasons in the elderly. The management of nearly all cardiac conditions in the elderly is similar to that for younger adults. The risk-benefit ratio is more finely balanced, particularly in prevention. Risk-benefit analysis is particularly important in the elderly. Diastolic rather than systolic heart failure is the most common haemodynamic abnormality in the elderly. Myocardial infarction, infection, uncontrolled hypertension, an arrhythmia or a valve problem may present as acute or compensated heart failure. Acute heart failure may develop in patients with compensated heart failure, due to non-compliance with treatment. The aims of treating chronic heart failure are to relieve symptoms, improve exercise tolerance and reduce acute exacerbations and mortality.
