Classification of Heart Failure Overview Heart failure is classified by how bad symptoms are when you are active.footnote 1
Class I. People whose physical activity is not limited. Ordinary physical activity does not cause tiredness (fatigue), heart palpitations
Class II. People who have some limitation on physical activity. They are comfortable at rest, but ordinary physical activity causes fatigue, heart palpitations, trouble breathing, or chest pain.
Class III. People who have a marked limitation on physical activity. They are comfortable at rest, but less-than-ordinary physical activity causes fatigue, heart palpitations, trouble breathing, or chest pain.
Class IV. People who are unable to carry on any physical activity without symptoms. Symptoms may be present even at rest.
Related Information
References
Citations Journal of the American College of Cardiology , published online April 1, 2022. DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2021.12.012. Accessed April 1, 2022.Load More Information about Classification of Heart Failure
Credits
Current as of: June 24, 2023
Author: Healthwise Staff Clinical Review Board
Current as of: June 24, 2023
Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board
Heidenreich PA, et al. (2022). 2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA guideline for the management of heart failure: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association. Journal of the American College of Cardiology , published online April 1, 2022. DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2021.12.012. Accessed April 1, 2022.
