| Abstract | The importance of diastolic dysfunction in patients with systolic heart failure is being increasingly realised and it appears to provide separate effect on symptoms and mortality. Furthermore, pure diastolic heart failure (with normal systolic function) is being recognised as a common form of heart failure especially in the elderly, those with a history of hypertension or with left ventricular hypertrophy. This may apply particularly to Chinese patients with heart failure who tend to be elderly and have a history of hypertension as the main risk factor for the development of heart failure. In addition, the correct treatment of diastolic heart failure is unclear. There is, therefore, a need for commuity-based studies to ascertain the prevalence of diastolic heart failure and randomised trials to determine the most effective treatment. |
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