Introduction. Heart failure (HF) is a serious condition that accounts for a large number of hospitalizations. The objective of this study was to estimate the annual rate of hospitalizations for HF and to describe recent trends. Methods. Data were extracted from the national databases of the PMSIMCO (Program for the Medicalization of Information Systems—Medicine, Surgery, and Obstetrics). We selected hospital stays with a primary diagnosis of HF, as well as stays with an associated diagnosis of HF and a primary diagnosis of cardiac (or renal) disease with HF, acute pulmonary edema, or cardiac liver disease. The first annual hospital stay for each patient was included. The rates of people hospitalized for HF were standardized to the French population (1999). Results. In 2008, 148,292 patients were hospitalized for HF. Between 2002 and 2008, the number of hospitalized patients increased by 14.4%, but the overall standardized rate changed little (-2.5%). However, there was a significant decrease in rates among those aged 5 to 24, as well as among men aged 65 to 84 and women aged 55 to 74, but an increase among women aged 45 to 54. Furthermore, in-hospital mortality at the first hospitalization decreased, from 8.9% to 7.5%. Significant regional disparities were observed. Discussion and conclusion. Heart failure is a very common cause of hospitalization. Between 2002 and 2008, distinct trends were observed according to sex and age. (R.A.)