The New York Heart Association Classification of Heart Failure (NYHA)
NYHA I
NYHA II
NYHA III
NYHA IV
NYHA I: NO LIMITATIONS IN ACTIVITY Ordinary physical activity does not cause undue fatigue, shortness of breath, or pounding heartbeat.
Can complete any activity below:
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Carrying 11 kg up 8 steps
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Carrying objects weighing 36 kg
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Sweeping the yard
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Spading soil
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Playing squash, soccer, or basketball
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Jog or walk 8 km/hour
NYHA II: MILD SYMPTOMS WITH ACTIVITY
Ordinary physical activity causes fatigue, shortness of breath, pounding heartbeat, or chest pain (angina).
Mild
Can complete any activity requiring:​​
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Sweeping and mopping the floor
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Gardening
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Roller skating
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Walking 7 km/hour on level ground
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Climbing one flight of stairs at a normal pace without symptoms
NYHA III: MODERATE SYMPTOMS:
Comfortable at rest; less than ordinary physical activity causes fatigue, shortness of breath, pounding heart beat, or chest pain (angina).
Can complete any activity requiring:
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Showering or dressing without stopping
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Making a bed
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Cleaning windows
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Playing golf
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Walking 4 km/hour
NYHA IV: SEVERE SYMPTOMS:
Symptoms occur at rest; any physical activity increases discomfort.
Cannot do or cannot complete any activity listed previously
Give us a call!
Do you have any of these symptoms of heart failure? Heart failure occurs when the heart is weak, or the heart valves are leaking or narrowed. NYHA classification is a way of assessing the severity of heart failure by looking at the symptoms. The more severe the symptoms the more serious the heart condition. Get in touch with us if you are having any of the above symptoms from NYHA II to NYHA IV and get an echocardiogram to look at how the heart muscle and heart valves are working.