The Impact of Age-Related Sarcopenia on Survival and Mortality in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure

There is an increasing HF population resulting from the higher number of MI survivors and the widespread presence of diabetes, hypertension, CHD (Chronic Heart Filure), obesity and other chronic conditions. Cardiac dysfunction is the main factor that leads to reduced physical activity in patients with HF. The alternations in skeletal musculature often are present in the background of HF and can contribute to fatigue and dyspnea. Sarcopenia is a reduction in muscle mass and force, and it is right to say that it is one of the signs of “getting old”.The modern views on sarcopenia are that it is an outcome of many medical, behavioral and ecological factors, which are common in older people. Together with a sedentary lifestyle, it can be the main reason for disability in the late stages of human life. In our study, we examined the significance of reduced skeletal muscle tissue on mortality and survival of patients with diagnosed HF. The results showed that sarcopenia is a significant contributing factor for increased mortality [p = 0,022] and reduced survival rates [p = 0,033] in patients with HF II – IV class by NYHA. As a secondary goal we found there is significant correlation between age and sarcopenia [R²Linear = 0,057].