Table 1 Characteristics of 19 frail, older patients with heart failure

Age (years), median (25^th and 75^th percentiles) and range

82 (75–85)

67 to 90

Female gender, n (%)

6 (32%)

Married or living together, n (%)

10 (53%)

Home health care, n (%)

8 (42%)

Education, n (%)

 Primary school

9 (47%)

 Secondary school

4 (21%)

 Higher education

6 (32%)

Time since diagnose (years), median (25^th- 75^th percentiles)

4 (3—7)

Ejection fraction %, mean ± SD

43 ± 11

NYHA class, n (%)

 II

4 (21%)

 III

11 (58%)

 IV

4 (21%)

Frailty level, n (%)

 4: vulnerable

7 (37%)

 5: mildly frail

8 (42%)

 6: moderately frail

4 (21%)

Comorbidities, n (%)

 Diabetes

14 (74%)

 Renal disease

14 (74%)

 Malignant tumour

10 (53%)

 Myocardial infarction

7 (37%)

 Chronic pulmonary disease

6 (32%)

 Cerebrovascular disease

5 (26%)

 Mild liver disease

3 (16%)

 Moderate to serious liver disease

2 (11%)

 Metastatic, solid tumour

2 (11%)

 Rheumatic disease

1 (5%)

 Leukaemia

1 (5%)

Well-being^a, mean ± SD

6 ± 2