New York Heart Association Classification

[fruitsalad]

What is this in Layman's terms

[Canary42]

The New York Heart Association (NYHA) Functional Classification provides a simple way of classifying the extent of heart failure. It places patients in one of four categories based on how much they are limited during physical activity; the limitations/symptoms are in regard to normal breathing and varying degrees in shortness of breath and/or angina.

It originated in 1928, when no measurements of cardiac function were possible, to provide a common language for physicians to communicate. Despite difficulties in applying it, such as the challenge of consistently classifying patients in class II or III, because functional capacity is such a powerful determinant of outcome, it remains arguably the most important prognostic marker in routine clinical use in heart failure today. With time the classification system evolved and updated multiple times. Presently, the ninth edition of the NYHA classification is being used in the clinical practice released in the year 1994 by the Criteria Committee of the American Heart Association, New York City Affiliate.

NYHA ClassSymptoms

1 Presence of cardiac disease. No limitation of physical activity. Ordinary physical activity does not cause undue fatigue, palpitation, dyspnea (shortness of breath).

2 Slight limitation of physical activity. Comfortable at rest. Ordinary physical activity results in fatigue, palpitation, dyspnea.

3 Marked limitation of physical activity. Comfortable at rest. Less than ordinary activity causes fatigue, palpitation, or dyspnea.

4 Unable to carry on any physical activity without discomfort. Symptoms of heart failure at rest. If any physical activity is undertaken, discomfort increases.

 

 

from Wiki

[naomi24]

I googled that and apparently it's the system used to classify the stages of heart failure. 

[naomi24]

Cross posted canary.  Yours is a better explanation.  

[calmck]

It classifies the symptoms of heart disease into groups according to signs and symptoms of disease and possible outcome

[Peter Pedant]

this a pre war classiification - the sort my dear late father might have used in a POW camp

There are , 90 y later, much more up to date classifications - 

The two requirements are for classificiations ( beside, reliability and repeatability, and same score between observers)

is that the groups have members and not all scrunched up into one group

the groups mean something.

I am currently in a struggle about getting a treatment, where my numbers are all wrong, but I still want the treatment.

Functional boils down to - the patient looks much better than the numbers suggest

 

[Peter Pedant]

and of course I am saying that the class they have put me in is the 'wrong ' class and is therefore not predictive.

and  they are saying

Yes it is: and quite frankly we dont know why you're still alive

[retrocop]

One can only believe in miracles.!

[naomi24]

Or fairy tales, retro.  ;o)

[Peter Pedant]

Hi retro - had a good afternoon rest? I was thinking of you when I scribbled it. - fr'instance

EVAR was associated with a 79% reduction in mortality and 51% fewer complications than open repair.

which is your operation  - looks great !

and then:

However, these results should be balanced through the understanding that in these studies there were publication bias and significant patient selectivity according to hemodynamic instability, suitability for EVAR,

which is doctor-ish for " they cherry picked their patients to get the results they wanted" - oo-er matron

BUT EVAR seems to be much better

[Buenchico]

Further info (including the four stages):

https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-failure/what-is-heart-failure/classes-of-heart-failure