The characteristic large‐scale annual analysis by gender and age in heart failure patients: cohort for 10 years in Korea

Aims The prevalence and incidence rate of heart failure (HF) continues to increase along with the aging of the population and the increase of ischaemic heart disease. The morbidity and mortality of HF are also on the rise in the industrialized countries; it can be a great public health problem. A detailed and accurate analysis of the demographical incidence and prevalence of HF is an important first step in predicting the occurrence of the disease in the future and proper preparing for prevention. Here, we aimed to analyse the annual prevalence and incidence of HF by gender and age using long‐term national health insurance service data in the Republic of Korea. Methods and results A total of 47 243 patients newly diagnosed with HF between 2006 and 2015 among nationally representative random subjects of 1 000 000 were included. The data of age and gender were analysed by year, and the total population information of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport of Korea was referred to compare the data of HF patients with the total population (2008–15). Over the decade from 2006 to 2015, the prevalence of HF patients showed tendency of increase (P