The burden of heart failure (HF) is increasing, and is now similar to the 4 most common causes of cancer combined. This according to a population-based study of 4 million individuals from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD), a cohort representative of UK population in terms of age and sex. Eligible patients were aged ≥16 years, had contributed data between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2014, and were registered with their general practice for at least 12 months. Among the findings:

• From 2002 to 2014, HF incidence decreased, similarly for men and women, by 7%.
• However, the estimated absolute number of individuals with newly diagnosed HF increased by 12%, largely due to an increase in population and age.
• The estimated absolute number of prevalent HF cases increased by 23%.
• Patient age and multi-morbidity at first presentation of HF also increased.
• Socioeconomically deprived individuals were more likely to develop HF, do so at a younger age, and had more comorbidities.