COACH Score: Explanation and Clinical Context The COACH Score is a validated risk stratification tool for patients with chronic heart failure, predicting mortality and risk of hospital readmission.
It incorporates age, sex, NYHA functional class, left ventricular ejection fraction, systolic blood pressure, serum creatinine, and prior heart failure hospitalization, with weighted points derived from the COACH study.
This precise scoring allows categorization into low, moderate, or high-risk groups, assisting clinicians in individualizing management, optimizing therapy, and planning follow-up intensity.
Reference:
van Veldhuisen DJ, et al. Risk stratification in chronic heart failure: the COACH score. Eur Heart J. 2007;28:1207–1214. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehm077
Voors AA, et al. Clinical risk scoring systems in chronic heart failure: COACH study insights. Heart. 2009;95:995–1000.