Heart Failure: NYHA Classification

Key points

• NYHA I: no symptoms — ordinary physical exercise does not cause undue fatigue, dyspnoea or palpitations
• NYHA II: mild symptoms — slight limitation; comfortable at rest but ordinary activity causes fatigue, palpitations or dyspnoea
• NYHA III: moderate symptoms — marked limitation; comfortable at rest but less than ordinary activity causes symptoms
• NYHA IV: severe symptoms — unable to carry out any physical activity without discomfort; symptoms present even at rest