Prognosis

Patients are more likely to be readmitted if they have  ^b  

• symptoms of chronic heart failure  ^b
• reduced general health or reduced activities of daily living  ^b

Patients are at increased risk of dying with   

• increasing age ^b
• male sex ^b
• severe heart failure (NYHA class III or IV)  ^b  
• a previous stroke  ^b  
• atrial fibrillation  ^b  
• diabetes mellitus ^b  
• syncope ^b 
  
  
• frequent ventricular tachycardia ^a 
  
  
• an enlarged heart 
  (increased left end-diastolic volume ^a  or an enlarged cardiothoracic ratio)  ^a  
• reduced heart rate variability ^a  
• reduced or worsening ejection fraction ^b
  
  
• non-ischaemic heart disease ^a
  
  
• a reduced serum sodium level ^b 

• survived previous attacks 
• have a good recovery following emergency treatment 
• do not require dopamine support 
• have ventricular arrhythmias present