Which metric is associated with a higher in-hospital mortality rate for heart failure patients?

Lower blood pressure is associated with a higher in-hospital mortality rate for heart failure patients. In the context of heart failure, blood pressure can be an important indicator of overall circulatory stability and cardiac function. A lower blood pressure often signifies inadequate perfusion and can indicate a worsening of heart failure status or shock.

Heart failure patients sometimes experience a drop in blood pressure due to poor cardiac output, which can lead to insufficient blood flow to vital organs. This condition can escalate rapidly and is often correlated with increased morbidity and mortality. Thus, healthcare providers closely monitor blood pressure in these patients since significant hypotension can require immediate interventions to stabilize their condition.

In contrast, normal blood pressure would generally suggest better hemodynamic status, while a very high heart rate may indicate compensatory mechanisms at play but not necessarily relate directly to in-hospital mortality. Increased urine output is typically a favorable sign that indicates improved kidney perfusion and fluid balance, which are both desirable outcomes in managing heart failure.