Heart failure patients' perceptions on nutrition and dietary adherence.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to explore patients' perception about how the foods they eat impact heart failure (HF) symptoms, their understanding of dietary recommendations received, and factors affecting their adherence to dietary recommendations that include recommendations to follow a low sodium diet and a low-fat diet.


METHODS
Qualitative data were obtained from 20 patients using semi-structured interviews.


RESULTS
The majority of patients believed that food intake could impact their health, but less than half thought sodium could affect HF symptoms. Eighty-five percent of patients received recommendations for a specific diet, but only 60% reported following them. Factors identified as affecting adherence included: a) knowledge, b) social pressure and encouragement from others, c) social situations, and d) food as a source of pleasure and enjoyment.


CONCLUSIONS
Ability to follow dietary recommendations remains a problem for many patients. Patients identified several key factors that affected ability to follow dietary recommendations. Strategies that target these factors may promote patients' decision to follow dietary recommendations and enhance their ability to do so.
Heo
Seongkum
S
Indiana University School of Nursing, 1111 Middle Drive, NU426, Indianapolis, IN 46202-5107, USA. heo2@iupui.edu
Lennie
Terry A
TA
Moser
Debra K
DK
Okoli
Chizimuzo
C
D000368:Aged; D004032:Diet; D004039:Diet, Sodium-Restricted; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D057181:Pleasure; D036301:Qualitative Research