The present invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of a subject of rapidly progressing to chronic heart failure and/or of hospitalization due to chronic heart failure and/or death. The method is based on the determination of at least one biomarker selected from the group consisting of a BNP-type peptide, IGFBP7 (IGF binding protein 7), a cardiac Troponin, soluble ST2 (sST2), FGF-23 (Fibroblast Growth Factor 23), and Growth Differentiation Factor 15 (GDF-15), in a sample of a subject. The method may further encompass the assessment of the presence or absence of (i) abnormal midwall fractional shortening or (ii) left ventricular hypertrophy. Further envisaged by the present invention are devices adapted to carry out the present invention.
