MASSDEVICE ON CALL — The direct and indirect costs of treating patients with heart failure could reach $70 billion by 2030, more than doubling from the $31 billion in costs for 2012.

That would put every U.S. taxpayer on the hook for $244 per year as the number of patients suffering from heart failure climbs 46% to 8 million people in 2030, according to a report by the American Heart Assn.

"If we don’t improve or reduce the incidence of heart failure by preventing and treating the underlying conditions, there will be a large monetary and health burden on the country," Stanford University School of Medicine professor Dr. Paul Heidenreich said in prepared remarks. "The costs will be paid for by every adult in this country, not just every adult with heart failure."

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