Prevalence and influencing factors of cognitive frailty in patients with chronic heart failure: a meta-analysis - Report - MDSpire

Cognitive Frailty in Chronic Heart Failure Patients: A Meta-Analysis of Prevalence and Contributing Factors

  • By

  • Meiwan Zhang

  • Chen Zhou

  • Min Hu

  • Chi Tian

  • Jiayue Zeng

  • July 20, 2026

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Clinical Report: Cognitive Frailty in Chronic Heart Failure Patients

Overview

This meta-analysis investigates the prevalence and risk factors of cognitive frailty in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients, revealing a 39.3% prevalence of cognitive impairment. Key risk factors include age, comorbidities, and lifestyle factors.

Background

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a significant global health challenge, affecting approximately 64 million individuals. Cognitive frailty, characterized by concurrent physical and cognitive impairments, is prevalent among CHF patients and is associated with adverse health outcomes, including increased mortality and reduced quality of life.

Data Highlights

MetricValue
Pooled prevalence of cognitive impairment39.3% (95% CI: 31.0%–47.7%)
Number of studies included14
Total patients analyzed5,127
Cognitive frailty cases reported1,875

Key Findings

  • The pooled prevalence of cognitive impairment in CHF patients is 39.3%.
  • Significant risk factors for cognitive impairment include age, NYHA classification, and comorbidity burden.
  • Protective factors include higher educational attainment and regular physical and intellectual activities.
  • Cognitive frailty is associated with a 1.55-fold higher risk of all-cause mortality within one year.

Clinical Implications

Healthcare providers should consider the identified risk factors for cognitive impairment in CHF patients.

Conclusion

Cognitive impairment is prevalent in chronic heart failure patients and is influenced by various risk factors.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Frontiers in Medicine, 2026 -- Analysis of factors associated with cognitive impairment in elderly patients hospitalized with chronic heart failure
  2. Frontiers in Neurology, 2026 -- Prevalence of cognitive frailty in older adults with stroke in China: a systematic review and meta-analysis
  3. Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, 2026 -- Prevalence and risk factors of cognitive impairment in patients with coronary heart disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis
  4. Recommendations | Chronic heart failure in adults: diagnosis and management | Guidance | NICE
  5. Strategies for Optimizing Heart Failure Care in the Older Adult - Professional Heart Daily | American Heart Association
  6. Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine — Gut Frailty in Chronic Heart Failure: Clinical Determinants and Distinct Microbial Signatures
  7. Vascular Contributions to Cognitive Impairment and Brain Health: Clinical Update and Mechanistic Considerations
  8. Assessment of frailty in patients with heart failure: A new Heart Failure Frailty Score developed by Delphi consensus
  9. Recommendations | Chronic heart failure in adults: diagnosis and management | Guidance | NICE
  10. Strategies for Optimizing Heart Failure Care in the Older Adult - Professional Heart Daily | American Heart Association
  11. Prevalence and Associated Factors of Frailty in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis - PMC
  12. 2025 ESC Clinical Consensus Statement on mental health and cardiovascular disease: developed under the auspices of the ESC Clinical Practice Guidelines Committee | European Heart Journal | Oxford Academic
  13. Frontiers | Prevalence and influencing factors of cognitive frailty in patients with chronic heart failure: a meta-analysis
  14. Prevalence of cognitive frailty, reversible and potentially reversible cognitive frailty among older adults without dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis - PMC
  15. Sex Differences in Efficacy of Multidomain Rehabilitation Among Older Adults With Acute HF: The REHAB-HF Trial | JACC: Heart Failure

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