Lifestyle Modifications for Preventing and Treating Heart Failure

Abstract

Continued improvement in medical and device therapy for heart failure (HF) has led to better survival with this disease. Longer survival and increasing numbers of unhealthy lifestyle factors and behaviors leading to occurrence of HF at younger ages are both contributors to an increase in the overall prevalence of HF. Clinicians treating this complex disease tend to focus on pharmacological and device therapies, but often fail to capitalize on the significant opportunities to prevent or treat HF through lifestyle modification. Herein, the authors review the evidence behind weight management, exercise, nutrition, dietary composition, supplements, and mindfulness and their potential to influence the epidemiology, pathophysiology, etiology, and management of stage A HF.

Keywords: coenzyme Q10; congestive heart failure; diet; diuretics; exercise; lifestyle; meditation; nitrates; nutrition; obesity; risk modification; sodium; supplements; weight management; yoga.