Change in Diet Improves Heart Functions In Those With Heart Failure

A latest study reveals the benefits of altering diet of patients with heart failure. The study claims that changing the diet not only lowers hypertension but also improves heart functions in those with common type of heart failure.

The latest study presented at Heart Failure's Society of America Meeting in Orlando, Fla., adopted the low sodium Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan. The researchers noted that by following this eating plan after 21 days there was a drop in the patient's blood pressure. The difference noticed was similar to consuming any anti hypertension medicine.

"Our work suggests diet could play an important role in the progression of heart failure, although patients should always talk to their doctor before making major dietary changes," Scott Hummel, M.D., cardiologist at the University of Michigan Frankel Cardiovascular Center said. "We're excited to confirm these results in longer-term studies that also help us understand the challenges patients face when they try to improve their eating habits."

More than half of the older adults with heart failure have the diastolic heart failure where the heart gets stiff and fails to pump sufficient blood. Also referred as the congestive heart failure or congestive cardiac failure, heart failure causes leg swelling and shortness of breath.  Data according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that about 5.7 million Americans have heart failure and this is the primary cause of nearly 55,000 deaths each year. Those who have heart failure die within first five years of diagnosis. This latest study focused on the impact of diet change.

Based on the cause and severity of the heart failure, treatment is provided. And these treatments require lifestyle measures that include exercise, smoking habit, medications and diet.

The study involved heart failure patients of ages 60-70 who were asked to maintain food dairies and eat meals prepared for them in the metabolic kitchen at the University of Michigan Clinical Research Unit. The study diet consisted of a sodium intake daily not exceeding 1,150 milligrams.

Meals that were supplied at  home were similar to the DASH diet eating plan. It had high potassium, magnesium, calcium and antioxidants contents that are advised for treating hypertension by the National Institutes of Health and the American Heart Association.

Through this study the researchers revealed that small changes in diet not only improve left ventricular relaxation but also lower the diastolic chamber stiffness as a result the flow of blood between the heart and arteries improves.