Background:
Overweight and obese adults living with heart failure (HF) have lower mortality compared to those of normal weight. However, the specific relationships of overall weight status and central adiposity with mortality among those with HF are less well-defined. We examined the relationships among body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and mortality among patients hospitalized for HF in the REGARDS Study.
Methods:
REGARDS is a national cohort of US community-dwelling adults aged >45 recruited from 2003 to 2007. We measured all-cause mortality rates among 565 participants hospitalized with HF who were normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m
2
), overweight (BMI 25.0-29.9 kg/m
2
), or obese (BMI > 30.0 kg/m
2
) at baseline. Underweight participants (BMI < 18.5 kg/m
2
) were excluded. Baseline WC, weight, and height were measured during an in-home exam. Index HF hospitalizations during follow-up were adjudicated by a panel of experts. Vital status was determined using the Social Security Death Index or the National Death Index. Cox proportional models estimated hazard ratios for all-cause mortality following the index HF hospitalization. Models were sequentially adjusted for WC, sociodemographics, HF severity (EF and BNP during HF hospitalization, prior history of HF, prior history of diastolic dysfunction), comorbidities, and health behaviors.
Results:
Among 565 participants hospitalized for HF, 116 (21%) were normal weight, 209 (37%) overweight, and 240 (42%) obese at baseline. Over a mean follow-up of 2.5 years, 253 deaths occurred. In multivariable analyses, overweight was associated with lower all-cause mortality in all models (Table). Each 1-cm increase in WC was associated with higher risk of all-cause mortality, but the relationship was not statistically significant after health behaviors were added in the final model. .
Conclusions:
Among adults hospitalized for HF, overweight as assessed by BMI may be associated with lower risk for mortality. However, central adiposity may confer higher risk of mortality.
A Positive Psychology Intervention to Promote Health Behaviors in Heart Failure
