June 29, 2026 · Circulation · DOI: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000001455

AHA/ACC/ESC/WHF Expert Consensus Document: Second Universal Definition of Heart Failure (2026)

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The authors aim to establish a standardized definition and classification system for heart failure (HF) to address the challenges posed by subjective and ambiguous terminology that hinder research and prevention efforts. The Second Universal Definition of Heart Failure proposes a new framework that categorizes HF based on ejection fraction and emphasizes the importance of social determinants and geographic variations in HF risk and outcomes. This consensus document seeks to enhance prevention, early detection, and management of HF globally, ultimately improving patient care and cardiovascular health.

Mary Norine Walsh, Lars Kober, Karen Sliwa, Marianna Adamo, Anubha Agarwal, Amitava Banerjee, Biykem Bozkurt, Maja Cikes, Albertino Damasceno, Akshay S Desai, G Michael Felker, Gail Hogan, Koichiro Kinugawa, Michelle Kittleson, Carolyn S P Lam, Theresa McDonagh, Marco Metra, Wilfried Mullens, Antonio Luiz P Ribeiro, Yolanda Vaughn, Amanda Vest, Joint American Heart Association (AHA)/American College of Cardiology (ACC)/European Society of Cardiology (ESC)/World Heart Federation (WHF) Task Force for the Universal Definition of Heart Failure in collaboration with the Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA), the Heart Failure Association (HFA) of the European Society of Cardiology, and the Japanese Heart Failure Society (JHFS)

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