Research Article
Lifestyle Modification with Diet and Exercise in Obese Patients with Heart Failure - A Pilot Study
| Allison M Pritchett1,2*, Anita Deswal1,3, David Aguilar1, John P Foreyt4, Wenyaw Chan5, Douglas L Mann6, Christie Ballantyne1,4 and Biykem Bozkurt1,3 | |
| 1Winters Center for Heart Failure Research and Section of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA | |
| 2Section of Cardiology, Ben Taub General Hospital, Harris County Hospital District, Houston, Texas, USA | |
| 3Section of Cardiology, Michael E. DeBakey V.A. Medical Center, Houston, Texas, USA | |
| 4Division of Atherosclerosis and Vascular Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA | |
| 5Division of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, Houston, Texas, USA | |
| 6Cardiovascular Division, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA | |
| Corresponding Author : | Dr. Allison M Pritchett MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine Section of Cardiology, Baylor College of Medicine One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA Tel: (713) 873-2078 or (713) 873-3935 Fax: (713) 873-2094 E-mail: amp@bcm.tmc.edu |
| Received January 19, 2012; Accepted March 08, 2012; Published March 15, 2012 | |
| Citation: Pritchett AM, Deswal A, Aguilar D, Foreyt JP, Chan W, et al. (2012) Lifestyle Modification with Diet and Exercise in Obese Patients with Heart Failure – A Pilot Study. J Obes Weig los Ther 2:118. doi:10.4172/2165-7904.1000118 | |
| Copyright: © 2012 Pritchett AM, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. | |
Abstract
Objective: There is a paucity of data regarding intentional weight loss in obese heart failure patients. This study sought to ascertain the safety and effectiveness of a lifestyle modification program in patients with systolic heart failure and metabolic syndrome.
Methods: Patients (n=20) with systolic heart failure (ejection fraction < 50%) and metabolic syndrome were randomized to standard medical therapy (Control) versus medical therapy and lifestyle modification (Lifestyle) and followed prospectively for 3 months. Lifestyle modification involved a walking program and reduced calorie diet with 2 meal replacement products (Slim Fast®) daily. Patients attended weekly meetings with a dietitian for 12 weeks. Endpoints were obtained at baseline and 3 months and included physical exam, laboratory values, quality of life questionnaire, 6 minute walk, and brachial ultrasound.
Results: At 3 months, 5 patients in each group had lost weight. Excluding 1 patient in each group who had increased diuretic dosing, the overall change in weight was -0.84 ± 3.82 and -0.50 ± 3.64 kg (p=0.85) in the control versus lifestyle groups respectively. No significant differences in the defined endpoints were noted. None of the patients had an adverse event that was related to weight loss or exercise.
Conclusions: This study is the first to assess the effects of a comprehensive program of dietary, behavioral, and exercise modifications in this population. Institution of lifestyle modification in patients with systolic heart failure and metabolic syndrome was well tolerated, but did not result in significant weight loss.
