To analyze factors contributing to the development and prognosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Based on previous studies on development of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), racial/ethnical background should be underscored when evaluating risk f actors for HFpEF incidence. As the ageing population increases sharply in China, HFpEF represents the dominant phenotype of all patients diagnosed with heart failure. In this cohort study, the investigators evaluated exposures or risk factors for HFpEF in Chinese Han patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Our study may provide preventive and therapeutic targets for HFpEF in Chinese CVD patients.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with CVD, defined as at least one diagnosis of coronary heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes or cardiomyopathy. The definition of coronary heart disease was stenosis of the main coronary arteries ≥ 50% using percutaneous coronary angiography or coronary computed tomography angiography findings. The definition of hypertension was systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg or pharmacological treatment. The definition of type 2 diabetes was fasting blood glucose ≥ 7.0 mmol/L, random blood glucose ≥ 11.1 mmol/L and HbA1c > 6.5% or the or the use of hypoglycaemic medications. Cardiomyopathy was defined as the presence of cardiac insufficiency in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy suggested by percutaneous coronary angiography or coronary CT angiography use of hypoglycaemic medications.

Exclusion Criteria:

• primary diagnoses of atherosclerosis (stenosis of the main coronary arteries < 50%), congenital heart diseases, arrhythmia, lung diseases, aortic dissection, peripheral vascular diseases, pericardial diseases, myocarditis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, heart valvular diseases, cardiophobia, costal chondritis, shock, thyroid diseases, infection or concomitant liver or renal dysfunction.

Subjects were enrolled from Nanjing First Hospital, a public tertiary care university hospital in Nanjing, China.