To investigate the correlation between heart failure indexes, Chinese medicine evidence points, and cognitive function in elderly patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) combined with cognitive impairment (CI).

165 elderly CHF patients were selected, and 92 CHF patients with combined CI were included according to the diagnostic criteria. The Simple Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA) were used to assess the severity of cognitive dysfunction in the patients, to complete the Chinese medicine evidence classification and Chinese medicine symptom scores, and to determine the NYHA cardiac function classification, LVEF, BNP, and IMT. The cardiac function classification, LVEF, BNP, duration of the disease, IMT, distribution of the basic Chinese medicine evidence types, and symptom. The correlation between cardiac function classification, LVEF, BNP, disease duration, IMT, Distribution of Basic Chinese Medicine Patterns and Symptom Scores, and cognitive function was analyzed.

The MMSE and MoCA scores of elderly patients with CHF combined with CI were not statistically significant (P < 0.05); LVEF was positively correlated with MMSE and MoCA scores; NYHA cardiac function classification, BNP, duration of heart failure, and Chinese medicine symptom scores were negatively correlated with MMSE and MoCA scores; and there was no correlation between IMT and MMSE and MoCA scores.

In elderly patients with CHF combined with CI, there is a close relationship between NYHA cardiac function classification, BNP, duration of heart failure, LVEF, TCM symptom score, and cognitive function, and elderly patients with CHF should undergo early cognitive function assessment and early intervention.