ABSTRACT
Cardiovascular disease is increasing in epidemic proportions in developed countries and is the leading cause of mortality in the United States. The most common type of cardiovascular disease is coronary artery disease: approximately 13 million Americans have a history of a myocardial infarction (MI), angina pectoris, or both.1 Coronary artery disease is one of the main causes of congestive heart failure (CHF). About 22% of men and 46% of women with MIs will be disabled by CHF within 6 years after the infarction.1 Currently, 4.6 million Americans have CHF, and 550 000 new cases are added annually.2 This is the only type of cardiovascular disease whose prevalence, incidence, and mortality has generally increased over the past 25 years. With the aging of the Western population and the decline in mortality related to other types of cardiovascular disease, CHF can be expected to take an even greater toll on public health.
