Red cell distribution width (RDW) laboratory test is a part of a standard complete blood count (CBC), and it is used along with other RBC indices, especially mean corpuscular volume (MCV) to help determine the causes of anemia.ed cell distribution width (RDW) is a parameter that measures variation in red blood cell size or red blood cell volume.
Heart failure puts very significant health and financial burdens on patients, their families and society as a whole. According to the American Heart Association, in 2008 the estimated total cost of heart failure in the United States will be more than $35 billion. On the next page, we'll learn about the increased incidence of heart failure and why it might be happening.
1 Approximately 550,000 new cases are diagnosed in the U.S. each year. 2  Congestive heart failure affects people of all ages, from children and young adults to the middle-aged and the elderly. 3  Almost 1.4 million persons with CHF are under 60 years of age.4  CHF is present in 2 percent of persons age 40 to 59. Nearly 5 million Americans are currently living with congestive heart failure (CHF). 2  Approximately 550,000 new cases are diagnosed in the U.S. each year. 3  Congestive heart failure affects people of all ages, from children and young adults to the middle-aged and the elderly.