Nutrient intake in heart failure patients.
OBJECTIVE
Approximately 50% of heart failure (HF) patients are thought to be malnourished, and macronutrient and micronutrient deficiencies may potentially aggravate HF symptoms. Thus, concerns have been raised about the overall nutrient composition of diets in HF populations. The purpose of this study was to examine the macronutrient and micronutrient intake by caloric adequacy among community-dwelling adults with HF.


METHODS
A secondary analysis of baseline data of participants in an HF lifestyle intervention study was conducted. Participants (n = 45) were predominantly male (55.6%), white, and non-Hispanic (64.4%); had a mean age of 61 years (SD, 11 years) and mean body mass index of 31.2 kg/m (SD, 7.3 kg/m); were of New York Heart Association functional classes II and III (77.8%); and had a mean ejection fraction of 31.9% (SD, 13.2%); and 69% had a college or higher level of education. The Block Food Habits Questionnaire was used to assess the intake of macronutrients and micronutrients. Analysis included descriptive statistics and Mann-Whitney U tests.


CONCLUSIONS
Individuals reporting inadequate daily caloric intake reported a lower intake of macronutrients and micronutrients as well as other differences in dietary patterns compared with individuals reporting adequate daily caloric intake. More than half of the individuals reporting adequate caloric intake did not meet the recommended dietary allowance for magnesium and vitamin E. Interventions aimed at increasing overall intake and nutrient density are suggested. Further research is needed to better understand the relationship between dietary factors and outcomes in HF.
Grossniklaus
Daurice A
DA
Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. dgross2@emory.edu
O'Brien
Marian C
MC
Clark
Patricia C
PC
Dunbar
Sandra B
SB
D015992:Body Mass Index; D002149:Energy Intake; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008612:Menu Planning; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D018977:Micronutrients