Over 23 million people worldwide suffer from heart failure (HF) [1]. Already at epidemic proportions, this significant global public health problem is predicted to escalate exponentially over the next decade [1]. For example, currently in the United States HF affects over five million people[2] and it is expected that by 2030 eight million will be diagnosed with HF [3]. Heart failure is now one of the most common reasons for hospital admissions in older people, resulting in a substantial economic drain on healthcare resources [4].