Journal of the American College of Cardiology 2013 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation and the American Heart Association, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. ACCF/AHA TASK FORCE MEMBERS Jeffrey L. Anderson, MD, FACC, FAHA, Chair; Alice K. Jacobs, MD, FACC, FAHA, Immediate Past Chairzz; Jonathan L. Halperin, MD, FACC, FAHA, Chair-Elect; Nancy M. Albert, PhD, CCNS, CCRN, FAHA; Biykem Bozkurt, MD, PhD, FACC, FAHA; Ralph G. Brindis, MD, MPH, MACC; Mark A. Creager, MD, FACC, FAHAzz; Lesley H. Curtis, PhD; David DeMets, PhD; Robert A. Guyton, MD, FACC; Judith S. Hochman, MD, FACC, FAHA; Richard J. Kovacs, MD, FACC, FAHA; Frederick G. Kushner, MD, FACC, FAHAzz; E. Magnus Ohman, MD, FACC; Susan J. Pressler, PhD, RN, FAAN, FAHA; Frank W. Sellke, MD, FACC, FAHA; Win-Kuang Shen, MD, FACC, FAHA; William G. Stevenson, MD, FACC, FAHAzz; Clyde W. Yancy, MD, MSc, FACC, FAHAzz TABLE OF CONTENTS Preamble 1497 1. Introduction 1499 1.1. Methodology and Evidence Review 1499 1.2. Organization of the Writing Committee 1499 1.3. Document Review and Approval 1499 1.4. Scope of This Guideline With Reference to Other Relevant Guidelines or Statements 1500 2. De nition of HF 1500 3. HF Classi cations 1500 4. Epidemiology 1501 5. Initial and Serial Evaluation of the HF Patient: Recommendations 1502 5.1. Clinical Evaluation 1502 5.1.1. History and Physical Examination 1502 5.1.2. Risk Scoring 1503 5.2. Diagnostic Tests 1503 5.3. Biomarkers 1503 5.4. Noninvasive Cardiac Imaging 1504 5.5. Invasive Evaluation 1505 6. Treatment of Stages A to D: Recommendations 1505 6.1. Stage A 1505 6.2. Stage B 1505 6.3. Stage C 1506 6.3.1. Nonpharmacological Interventions 1506 6.3.2. Pharmacological Treatment for Stage C HFrEF 1506 6.3.3. Pharmacological Treatment for Stage C HFpEF 1510 6.3.4. Device Therapy for Stage C HFrEF 1510 6.4. Stage D 1513 6.4.1. Water Restriction 1513 6.4.2. 