Heart failure screening reveals high rates of undiagnosed cases

A regional screening project in Italy, known as BRIMBERG, has revealed that over 40% of high-risk individuals show signs of early, undiagnosed heart failure. The study, conducted in Bergamo, Val Brembana, and Valle Imagna, utilized technologies from the Italian PnC supplementary plan to identify functional impairments that often precede clear symptoms.

Medical experts, including Professor Christian Müller from the University Hospital Basel, noted that undiagnosed heart failure is also present in tertiary care settings. He emphasized that targeted screening is essential for patients with long-term hypertension, coronary heart disease, or atrial fibrillation. Approximately 70% of heart failure cases develop from coronary heart disease and high blood pressure.

In Germany, the German Heart Foundation estimates that roughly 4 million people are affected by the condition. Common warning signs include decreased physical performance, exhaustion, shortness of breath, swelling in the feet and ankles, and rapid pulse. Heart failure affects approximately 1% to 3% of the general population, with incidence rates increasing significantly with age.