There were 9,899 controls. Controls were less likely to be nursing home residents or be 85 years or older. Patients admitted for other reasons with incidental CHF were not included. Results There were 365 cases and 658 controls, with a mean age of 76 years. These latter seem high, but in both cases the bulk of the events would be in those aged 75 and over.
Age is certainly the issue.
Renal failure has a high mortality, and CHF is also serious, as treatment is unlikely to restore patient' s functioning to previous levels. The good news is that for most older patients sensible assessment and pertinent guidance should mean that many of these events could be avoided. Most are avoidable. An overview of epidemiological studies published in the 1990s. MR Griffin, A Yared, WA Ray.