Comprehensive Individualized nursing intervention enhances health outcomes and quality of life in patients with heart failure

Background Heart failure (HF) is associated with high morbidity, readmissions, and impaired quality of life. Because patient responses vary, tailored, nurse-led strategies, particularly in nutrition, activity, and psychosocial support, may address needs that routine care does not fully meet. Objective To assess the effectiveness of an individualized, nurse-led intervention integrating nutrition, graded exercise, and psychosocial support in patients with HF. Methods This prospective, single-center, parallel-group study involved adults with HF (n = 110 per group), who were assigned to groups using an odd-even allocation method. The control group (CG) received routine nursing care. The observation group (OG) received the same routine care plus a 3-month individualized program comprising customized nutritional counseling, staged exercise guidance, and structured psychosocial support with follow-up. Baseline and follow-up assessments consisted of measuring time to symptom resolution, cardiac function, arterial blood gases, nutritional status, psychological status, quality of life, and adverse events between the two groups. Results Compared with routine nursing care (CG), individualized nurse-led care (OG) had shortened time to symptom improvement (dyspnea 2.05 ± 0.61 vs. 2.57 ± 0.76 days; p < 0.001), improved cardiac function (LVEF, CO ↑; LVEDD, LVESD ↓; 6MWT ↑; all p < 0.05), enhanced gas exchange (PaCO₂ ↓, PaO₂ ↑; both p < 0.05), and better nutritional status (p < 0.05). Additionally, the OG had improved psychological status (p < 0.05), enhanced quality of life (SF-36 75.43 ± 9.03 vs. 66.43 ± 9.09; p < 0.05), and fewer adverse events (6.36% vs. 20.0%; χ²=7.462; p = 0.006). Conclusion An individualized nurse-led intervention is associated with multidomain benefits in patients with HF, supporting the integration of personalized nursing strategies into routine HF care pathways.