Heart failure (HF) is a significant public health issue, affecting over 5.8 million people in the USA and 23 million worldwide, with a lifetime risk of developing HF of one in five. Despite potential plateaus or declines in age-adjusted incidence, HF remains a substantial burden, causing substantial morbidity and mortality, with 5-year mortality rates comparable to those of many cancers. HF is a clinical syndrome that varies by age, sex, race, ethnicity, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and etiology. Key risk factors include ischemic heart disease, hypertension, smoking, obesity, and diabetes. HF and preserved LVEF cases are increasing, representing over half of all HF cases and having outcomes similar to those with reduced LVEF. HF is a major driver of healthcare utilization, leading to high hospitalization, readmission, and outpatient visit rates, costing over $39 billion annually in the USA. Further research is needed to improve prevention, management, and outcomes for HF, particularly in subgroups with preserved LVEF.Heart failure (HF) is a significant public health issue, affecting over 5.8 million people in the USA and 23 million worldwide, with a lifetime risk of developing HF of one in five. Despite potential plateaus or declines in age-adjusted incidence, HF remains a substantial burden, causing substantial morbidity and mortality, with 5-year mortality rates comparable to those of many cancers. HF is a clinical syndrome that varies by age, sex, race, ethnicity, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and etiology. Key risk factors include ischemic heart disease, hypertension, smoking, obesity, and diabetes. HF and preserved LVEF cases are increasing, representing over half of all HF cases and having outcomes similar to those with reduced LVEF. HF is a major driver of healthcare utilization, leading to high hospitalization, readmission, and outpatient visit rates, costing over $39 billion annually in the USA. Further research is needed to improve prevention, management, and outcomes for HF, particularly in subgroups with preserved LVEF.