SCOPING REVIEW OF HEART FAILURE EPIDEMIOLOGY, ECONOMIC BURDEN, AND REGIONAL DISPARITIES IN ASEAN COUNTRIES

Abstract

Heart failure (HF) is a complex clinical syndrome and a major global public health challenge and growing health challenge, associated with substantial morbidity, mortality, and healthcare expenditure. Its burden continues to rise worldwide, driven by population ageing and improved survival from cardiovascular diseases. significant regional disparities remain, with Southeast Asia experiencing earlier age at HF, higher hospitalisation rates, and a substantial burden of comorbidities. This scoping review aimed to summarise the global epidemiology of heart failure, focusing on incidence, prevalence, and hospitalisation patterns, and regional disparities in ASEAN countries. Peer-reviewed epidemiological studies, national registries, and systematic reviews reporting on HF incidence, prevalence, hospitalisations, and outcomes worldwide. A scoping review was conducted using the ScienceDirect and PubMed databases, employing keywords both individually and in combination, including “heart failure”, “incidence”, “prevalence”, “worldwide”, “epidemiology”, “HF hospitalizations”, “Asian”, “race”, “ethnicity”, “cardiac guidelines”, and “Southeast Asia”. Reference lists of relevant articles were also reviewed to identify additional studies. PRISMA-ScR guided, the study selection process comprised the identification, screening, eligibility assessment, and inclusion of articles. The findings demonstrate a rising burden of HF globally, with Southeast Asia showing higher rates of premature HF, frequent hospitalisations, and substantial comorbidity burden. Malaysia exhibits high HF prevalence and hospitalisation rates. These results underscore the urgent need for region-specific prevention strategies, guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) implementation, and multidisciplinary care to address the escalating burden and economic impact of heart failure in ASEAN countries.