Sarcopenia in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

Aims: To evaluate the prevalence of pre-sarcopenia and sarcopenia and their relationship with clinical variables, physical activity, quality of life, and diet in patients with heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF).

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study in patients with HFrEF and matched controls. Clinical, laboratory analysis, dual-emission X-ray densitometry, handgrip strength, and physical activity level questionnaire assessments were performed.

The Brazilian Cardioprotective Nutritional Program to reduce events and risk factors in secondary prevention for cardiovascular disease: study protocol (The BALANCE Program Trial).

This article reports the rationale for the Brazilian Cardioprotective Nutritional Program (BALANCE Program) Trial. This pragmatic, multicenter, nationwide, randomized, concealed, controlled trial was designed to investigate the effects of the BALANCE Program in reducing cardiovascular events. The BALANCE Program consists of a prescribed diet guided by nutritional content recommendations from Brazilian national guidelines using a unique nutritional education strategy, which includes suggestions of affordable foods.