I - NO limitations of physical activity; Ordinary physical activity does not cause undue fatigue, dyspnea, or palpitations
II - Slight limitations of physical activity; ordinary physical activity results in fatigue, palpitation, dyspnea, or angina
III - Marked limitations of physical activity; Altho patients are comfortable at rest, less than ordinary activity will lead to symptoms
IV - Inability to carry on physical activity without discomfort; Symptoms are present even at rest; With any physical activity, increased discomfort is experienced.


Mnemonics:
NYHA: New York = Functional = Symptom-based = very practical & functional-oriented.
Heart failure: Heart has 4 chambers => 4 stages of classifications.
I                   II                III                  IV
No               Slight         Marked           Inability
Normal                                                 Extreme
Ordinary     Ordinary    At rest            At rest
0 s/s            w/ s/s         0 s/s                w/ s/s



Memory aids:
All stages are measured based on the limitations of physical activities.  Remember NYHA is all about functional. Remember NYHA stands for New York Heart Association. Remember these New Yorkers are always busy on the go? They are all about being functional - measured by the limitations of any physical activities.

Remember NYHA is a very functional grading. It does not classify HF based on structural or physiological diseases. It's very practical. Not those anat & physio terms. Also, bc it's symptom-based. Pt can go from one stage to the other: classified as stage III and go back to stage I after being treated. very very symptom-based. It's helpful to know AHA dz-based too.




~Wonder Me!