Dietary Habits Moderate the Association Between Heart Failure and Cognitive Impairment
Year: 2013
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Cognitive impairment is common in heart failure patients. Poor dietary habits are associated with reduced neurocognitive function in other medical populations, including diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. This study examined whether dietary habits help moderate the relationship between heart failure severity and cognitive function. A total of 152 persons with heart failure completed neuropsychological testing and a fitness assessment. Dietary habits were assessed using the Starting the Conversation-Diet questionnaire, a nutrition measure suggested for use in primary care settings. Moderation analyses showed that better dietary habits attenuated the adverse impact of heart failure severity on frontal functioning (b = 1.28, p < 0.05). Follow-up analyses revealed consumption of foods high in sodium was associated with reduced cognitive function (p < 0.05). This study suggests dietary habits can moderate the association between heart failure and performance on tests of attention and executive function. Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm and clarify the mechanisms for our findings.
Institutions: Kent State University, Summa Health System, Summa Akron City Hospital, Wayne State University, University of Florida, University of Georgia, University of Wisconsin–Madison, University Hospitals of Cleveland, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2084243745