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Classes of Heart Failure
  • Updated:Tue, 6 Jul 2010 12:39:00 PM

Doctors usually classify patients' heart failure according to the severity of their symptoms. The table below describes the most commonly used classification system, the New York Heart Association (NYHA) Functional Classification. It places patients in one of four categories based on how much they are limited during physical activity.

ClassHow Patient Feels During Physical Activity
INo symptoms and no limitation in ordinary physical activity.
IIMild symptoms and slight limitation during ordinary activity. Comfortable at rest.
IIIMarked limitation in activity due to symptoms, even during less-than-ordinary activity. Comfortable only at rest.
IVSevere limitations. Experiences symptoms even while at rest.

Heart Failure
Heart Failure Questions to Ask Your Doctor

    Use these questions to talk to your doctor about heart failure.


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