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Defining the nutritional status and dietary intake of older heart failure patients
Rosemary J G Price1, Miles D Witham, Marion E T McMurdo
1Section of Ageing and Health, Division of Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, UK. r.j.g.price@dundee.ac.uk
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/m(2) with 7% of patients having a BMI<20 kg/m(2) and 56% with a BMI above 25 kg/m(2). 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.
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