Abstract 1818: Beneficial Effects of Weight Loss Associated with a High Protein Diet on Cardiovascular Risk Profile, Functional Status and Quality of Life in Obese Heart Failure Patients: A Feasibility Study
OBJECTIVE: Clinical management of chronic heart failure (HF) related to adequate nutritional intake currently lacks a strong scientific basis. This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of 3 diet interventions on body weight and its potential to reduce cardiovascular risks and improve functional status. METHOD: Fourteen obese HF patients (BMI > 27 kg/m2) were randomized to1 of 3 diets: high protein (HP); low fat (LF) or average diet/control group (CG). Body anthropometrics (weight, BMI, waist circumference), indices of cardiovascular risks including (% body fat, blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides), and measures of functional status (6-minute walk, max VO2) were obtained at baseline and after a 12-week nutritional support program. Statistics included two-way RMANOVA. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in age (59±10 years), gender (78% male), NYHA (43% class II; 57% class III), HF etiology (57% non-ischemic), or ejection fraction (0.26±0.07) between the groups. The HP diet resulted in moderate reductions in body weight (Figure ) and improvements in several health parameters (Table ). CONCLUSION: The data show that in a small group of obese HF patients, a 12-week HP diet resulted in moderate weight loss that was associated with reduced cardiovascular risks and better functional status. However, the long-term effects of a HP diet remain uncertain. Figure Comparison of Weight Changes in the HP, LF and CG from Baseline to 12 Weeks Mean changes in outcomes from baseline to 12 weeks, by diet group and time