The prevalence of patients with heart failure is increasing in the population. This study was designed to find out whether this depends on increased survival or an increased incidence in the hospital catchment area. The hospital register of discharge diagnoses was searched for the diagnosis heart failure between 1987 and 1994. The vital status of each individual was checked in April 1995. For those deceased, survival time was calculated. The incidence increased gradually from 1.4/1,000 inhabitants in 1987 to 2.6/1,000 inhabitants in 1994, with the same incidence for men and women. There was no significant difference in survival for those treated in the beginning of the period compared to those treated late. Women had a 27% reduction in mortality compared to men. A one-decade age increase raised the hazard ratio by 35%. There has been an increase in incidence and demand for hospital beds for the diagnosis heart failure. The overall prognosis has not improved during the surveyed years. Being a man and being elderly carried a worse prognosis.