Abstract
Background: Little information exists about diet in the management of heart failure.
Aims: To describe the nutritional and biochemical status, and the dietary intake of older heart failure patients.
Methods: Stable outpatients and patients with recent hospitalisation for decompensated heart failure were recruited. Anthropometric measurements, handgrip strength, biochemical values and echocardiography were recorded. Patients kept 7-day food diaries and completed questionnaires concerning food provision.
Results: Forty-five patients with a mean (S.D.) age of 80.8 (6.8) years were studied and classed according to the New York Heart Association (NYHA) (11% Class I, 27% Class II and 62% Class III). Mean (S.D.) body mass index (BMI) was 27.1 (5.4) kg/m2 with 7% of patients having a BMI < 20 kg/m2 and 56% with a BMI above 25 kg/m2. 64% of participants failed to achieve the estimated average requirements for energy intake; 82% took more than 2 mg of sodium daily; and 18% had a potassium intake above 3500 mg/day. Only 29% of individuals did not need assistance with food shopping, whilst 58% required assistance with meal preparation.
Conclusion: Possible targets for dietary intervention in older heart failure patients have been identified but whether such changes would be beneficial to patients is unknown
Aims: To describe the nutritional and biochemical status, and the dietary intake of older heart failure patients.
Methods: Stable outpatients and patients with recent hospitalisation for decompensated heart failure were recruited. Anthropometric measurements, handgrip strength, biochemical values and echocardiography were recorded. Patients kept 7-day food diaries and completed questionnaires concerning food provision.
Results: Forty-five patients with a mean (S.D.) age of 80.8 (6.8) years were studied and classed according to the New York Heart Association (NYHA) (11% Class I, 27% Class II and 62% Class III). Mean (S.D.) body mass index (BMI) was 27.1 (5.4) kg/m2 with 7% of patients having a BMI < 20 kg/m2 and 56% with a BMI above 25 kg/m2. 64% of participants failed to achieve the estimated average requirements for energy intake; 82% took more than 2 mg of sodium daily; and 18% had a potassium intake above 3500 mg/day. Only 29% of individuals did not need assistance with food shopping, whilst 58% required assistance with meal preparation.
Conclusion: Possible targets for dietary intervention in older heart failure patients have been identified but whether such changes would be beneficial to patients is unknown
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 178-183 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing |
| Volume | 6 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2007 |