NYHA Heart Failure Classification
Classifies heart failure severity based on functional limitation from symptoms.
Score interpretation
No functional limitation. Ordinary physical activity does not cause undue breathlessness, fatigue, or palpitations.
→ Optimise medical management. Lifestyle advice.
Slight limitation of physical activity. Comfortable at rest but ordinary activity results in breathlessness, fatigue, or palpitations.
→ Heart failure medication optimisation. Consider cardiac rehabilitation.
Marked limitation. Comfortable at rest but less than ordinary activity causes symptoms.
→ Specialist heart failure review. Optimise GDMT. Consider device therapy (ICD/CRT).
Unable to carry on any physical activity without discomfort. Symptoms present at rest.
→ Urgent specialist review. Advanced heart failure therapies. Consider palliative care discussion.
Interpretation bands for the NYHA Class. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
References
- New York Heart Association. Criteria Committee of the New York Heart Association. Nomenclature and Criteria for Diagnosis, 9th ed. 1994.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- MAGGIC Risk Score for Heart Failure · Heart Failure
- ACC/AHA Heart Failure Staging · Heart Failure
- Framingham Heart Failure Diagnostic Criteria · Heart Failure
- H2FPEF Score for HFpEF · Heart Failure
- Ottawa Heart Failure Risk Scale · Heart Failure
- GWTG-HF Risk Score for In-Hospital Mortality · Heart Failure
- Acute Heart Failure · ESC 2021 Heart Failure Guidelines; NICE NG106
- NSTEMI / Unstable Angina · ESC 2020 NSTEMI Guidelines; NICE NG185
- New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation · ESC 2020 AF Guidelines; NICE NG196
- Hypertensive Emergency · ESC/ESH 2018 Hypertension Guidelines; NICE NG136
- Bradycardia Management · Resuscitation Council UK ABCDE; ESC 2021 Pacing Guidelines
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.