Frailty is a complex clinical syndrome associated with ageing and chronic illness, resulting from multiple organ impairment; physiological reserves decrease and vulnerability to stressors increase. The role of frailty in cardiovascular disease has become increasingly recognised. Up to 79% of patients with heart failure are frail. Moreover, frailty is associated with a worse quality of life and poor prognosis. This review summarises the available literature on frailty in HF and highlights indications for its management.
Keywords: Heart failure; ageing; frailty; management.