POS-2026-3018 : REDUCE-HF, an electronic health records study of inequalities in heart failure diagnosis in England

Heart failure happens when the heart cannot pump blood properly. It is the most common reason why people over the age of 65 go into hospital. It is also a common reason why people die. More people die from heart failure than many common cancers. 

Heart failure can make people very tired and short of breath. If people have these symptoms, then a blood test can help GPs find heart failure early. Heart failure can be treated with medicines. Medicines work best if started early. But heart failure is most often only found in hospital when people are already very unwell. This happens more to women, people with long-term illnesses (like lung disease), and those from poorer backgrounds. We do not know how these, and other reasons, combine to increase the risk of heart failure only being found in hospital. We do not know how this can be changed. This is unfair. Everyone should have the same chance to be healthy.

Patients and carers from different backgrounds planned this project.

Researchers will use patient health care information from OpenSAFELY to:

• Find out which groups of people are most likely to have heart failure found in hospital and how they use the NHS

• Find out whether people receive the heart failure blood test and how well the test works for different groups; and

• Develop a “risk prediction tool”, like a calculator, to help GPs find heart failure earlier.

Patients, carers, doctors, researchers and community groups will work together. Together we will use what we learn to design new ways to help GPs find heart failure earlier. We will make sure these work well for everyone. This will help people live longer and healthier lives, reduce the need for people to go into hospital and save the NHS money.