NYHA classification

The NYHA classification is a scheme originally published by the New York Heart Association for classifying heart diseases according to their severity. It is most often used to classify heart failure into different stages according to the patient's ability to perform. There are also adjustments to other diseases such as B. pulmonary hypertension .

Different versions and translations of the NYHA classification differ slightly in their wording; in German-speaking countries the u. a. Most common version used in 2005 in the guidelines of the German Society for Cardiology :

Staging according to New York Heart Association Classification (NYHA Classification)

stage	definition
NYHA I	Heart disease without physical limitations. Daily physical exertion does not cause inadequate exhaustion, arrhythmia, shortness of breath or angina pectoris.
NYHA II	Heart disease with a slight reduction in physical performance. No complaints in peace. Daily physical activity causes exhaustion, arrhythmias, shortness of breath or angina pectoris.
NYHA III	Heart disease with severe limitation of physical performance during normal activity. No complaints in peace. Low physical exertion causes exhaustion, arrhythmias, shortness of breath or angina pectoris.
NYHA IV	Heart disease with discomfort in all physical activities and at rest. Bedridden.

The NYHA classification does not provide any indication of the cause of the cardiac disorder.

The symptoms used to assess the stages include shortness of breath ( dyspnoea ), frequent urination at night ( nocturia ), cyanosis , general weakness and fatigue, angina pectoris, or cold extremities .

Another way of classifying heart disease is the Forrester classification based on hemodynamics . In veterinary medicine , in addition to the NYHA, the ISACHC classification and the CHIEF classification are also used.

See also

• Canadian Cardiovascular Society Classification (CCS Classification)

Web links

• Guidelines for the therapy of chronic heart failure (PDF) (German Society for Cardiology, 2005; 366 kB)
• 1994 Revisions to Classification of Functional Capacity and Objective Assessment of Patients With Diseases of the Heart (American Heart Association, 1994)

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Hoppe UC et al .: guidelines for the treatment of chronic heart failure. In: Zeitschrift für Kardiologie (2005) 94: 488-509.

This article is about a health issue. It is not used for self-diagnosis and does not replace a diagnosis by a doctor. Please note the information on health issues !