NYHA Functional Classification
Classifies symptom limitation from heart failure into four classes.
When to use
Description of functional limitation in adults with heart failure, recorded with ejection fraction and treatment.
Pearls and pitfalls
- The class describes symptoms at the time of assessment and can change with treatment or decompensation.
- Do not confuse functional class with disease stages A to D, which describe structural progression.
- The classification is subjective and depends on how the patient reports ordinary activity.
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Formula
Choose the class matching the reported degree of limitation, from I to IV.
Evidence
Functional classification incorporated into heart failure guidelines and used to characterize severity and treatment response.
References
- Heidenreich PA, Bozkurt B, Aguilar D, et al. 2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA Guideline for the Management of Heart Failure. Circulation. 2022;145(18):e895-e1032. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000001063
Frequently asked questions
What is NYHA Functional Classification?
Classifies symptom limitation from heart failure into four classes. Description of functional limitation in adults with heart failure, recorded with ejection fraction and treatment.
How is the result calculated?
Choose the class matching the reported degree of limitation, from I to IV.
How should the result be interpreted?
Functional classification incorporated into heart failure guidelines and used to characterize severity and treatment response.
What are the sources?
Heidenreich PA, Bozkurt B, Aguilar D, et al. 2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA Guideline for the Management of Heart Failure. Circulation. 2022;145(18):e895-e1032.