Inclusion criteria followed our previous study.5 HF was defined as brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) ≥ 40 pg/mL with HF symptoms/signs or a history of HF hospitalization, regardless of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).6 We excluded patients with specific cardiac diseases, incomplete data, no HF symptoms, or no follow-up at our hospital. Here, NPPB is linked to heart disorder.