Norine, W.M., Lars, K., Karen, S., Marianna, A., Anubha, A., Amitava, B., Biykem, B., Maja, C., Albertino, D., S, D.A., G, M.F., Gail, H., Koichiro, K., Michelle, K., P, L.C.S., Theresa, M., Marco, M., Wilfried, M., P, R.A.L., . . . Amanda, V. (2026). AHA/ACC/ESC/WHF Expert Consensus Document: Second Universal Definition of Heart Failure (2026).. European heart journal. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehag500
Norine WM, Lars K, Karen S, Marianna A, Anubha A, Amitava B, et al. AHA/ACC/ESC/WHF Expert Consensus Document: Second Universal Definition of Heart Failure (2026).. European heart journal. 2026; doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehag500
Norine WM, Lars K, Karen S, et al. AHA/ACC/ESC/WHF Expert Consensus Document: Second Universal Definition of Heart Failure (2026).[J]. European heart journal. 2026. DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehag500.
@article{norine2026,
author = {Walsh Mary Norine and Kober Lars and Sliwa Karen and Adamo Marianna and Agarwal Anubha and Banerjee Amitava and Bozkurt Biykem and Cikes Maja and Damasceno Albertino and Desai Akshay S and Michael Felker G and Hogan Gail and Kinugawa Koichiro and Kittleson Michelle and Lam Carolyn S P and McDonagh Theresa and Metra Marco and Mullens Wilfried and Ribeiro Antonio Luiz P and Vaughn Yolanda and Vest Amanda},
title = {AHA/ACC/ESC/WHF Expert Consensus Document: Second Universal Definition of Heart Failure (2026).},
journal = {European heart journal},
year = {2026},
doi = {10.1093/eurheartj/ehag500},
note = {PMID: 42366993},
}
TY - JOUR AU - Walsh Mary Norine AU - Kober Lars AU - Sliwa Karen AU - Adamo Marianna AU - Agarwal Anubha AU - Banerjee Amitava AU - Bozkurt Biykem AU - Cikes Maja AU - Damasceno Albertino AU - Desai Akshay S AU - Michael Felker G AU - Hogan Gail AU - Kinugawa Koichiro AU - Kittleson Michelle AU - Lam Carolyn S P AU - McDonagh Theresa AU - Metra Marco AU - Mullens Wilfried AU - Ribeiro Antonio Luiz P AU - Vaughn Yolanda AU - Vest Amanda TI - AHA/ACC/ESC/WHF Expert Consensus Document: Second Universal Definition of Heart Failure (2026). T2 - European heart journal PY - 2026 DO - 10.1093/eurheartj/ehag500 AN - PMID:42366993 ER -
Heart failure (HF) remains a pressing health concern, with rising prevalence globally. Subjectivity and ambiguity in the definition of HF and its antecedent stages have limited research, global surveillance, and prevention programs. To address this, several cardiac societies and foundations convened to standardize the definition of HF in 2021 and designated stage B or pre-HF to identify individuals at risk of developing HF. In subsequent years, substantial progress and changes have been made in aspects of preventing HF, improving HF diagnosis and management, and recognizing the importance of the affected individual's voice. Global differences and disparities in HF are better understood, as are causes and comorbidities leading to differences in care, which are also influenced by access to care. This consensus document presents the Second Universal Definition of Heart Failure, aiming to standardize terminology and facilitate a uniform approach for clinicians, researchers, health systems, and policymakers. In this definition, the classification of HF phenotypes moves away from rigid left ventricular ejection fraction cutoffs, instead grouping HF into reduced, preserved, and improved ejection fraction categories to better reflect clinical realities. A universal classification of HF causes is also proposed. The document also addresses the dynamic trajectories of HF-improvement, remission, and recovery-and highlights the impact of social determinants and geographic variation on HF risk and outcomes. By providing a comprehensive, standardized framework for HF definition and classification, this document seeks to improve prevention, early detection, and management of HF worldwide, ultimately enhancing patient care and advancing global cardiovascular health.