Nutritional Management in Heart Failure
Summary
Nutritional management in heart failure encompasses strategies to optimise energy intake, preserve lean body mass and support cardiac function. Patients with heart failure are at risk of malnutrition due to reduced appetite, intestinal malabsorption, catabolic inflammation and increased resting energy expenditure. Key goals include ensuring adequate caloric intake, maintaining a balanced distribution of macronutrients, restricting sodium and fluid as appropriate, and correcting common micronutrient deficiencies. Dietary patterns rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats may improve endothelial function, reduce oxidative stress and modulate neurohormonal activation. In parallel, targeted supplementation of thiamine, coenzyme Q10, L-arginine and certain antioxidants has been explored to enhance myocardial energetics and ejection fraction. Preventing and treating cachexia and sarcopenia through combined nutritional support and exercise training is critical for reducing morbidity and improving quality of life. Personalised dietary assessment and follow-up form the cornerstone of integrating nutritional care into multidisciplinary heart failure management.
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Nutritional Management in Heart Failure publication trend
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Technical terms
Cachexia: A multifactorial syndrome marked by involuntary weight loss and muscle wasting, often seen in chronic heart failure and associated with poorer outcomes.
Sarcopenia: Age- or disease-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength, contributing to reduced functional capacity in heart failure patients.
Ejection fraction: The percentage of blood ejected from the left ventricle with each heartbeat, used to assess cardiac pumping efficiency.
Macronutrients: Nutrients required in large amounts—proteins, carbohydrates and fats—that provide energy and support tissue maintenance.
Micronutrients: Essential vitamins and minerals needed in small quantities to regulate metabolic pathways, immune function and antioxidant defence.
References
- Dietary strategies and nutritional supplements in the management of heart failure: a systematic review. Frontiers in Nutrition (2024).
- Nutritional Supplementation and Exercise as Essential Allies in the Treatment of Chronic Heart Failure: The Metabolic and Molecular Bases. Nutrients (2023).
- Dietary Management of Heart Failure: DASH Diet and Precision Nutrition Perspectives. Nutrients (2021).
- Impact of Inadequate Calorie Intake on Mortality and Hospitalization in Stable Patients with Chronic Heart Failure. Nutrients (2021).
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