Determinants of submaximal exercise capacity in patients at risk for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction-results from the DIAST-CHF study.

Objectives And Background: The aim of this study was to identify determinants of submaximal exercise capacity as measured by 6 min walking distance in patients at risk for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis from the prospective cohort programme Prevalence and Clinical Course of Diastolic Dysfunction and Heart Failure (DIAST-CHF) that included a total of 1937 patients (age, 50-85 years) with >1 risk factor (hypertension, atherosclerotic disease, diabetes mellitus, and obstructive sleep apnoea) was carried out. Besides comprehensive clinical phenotyping, standardized 6 min walk test and state-of-the-art echocardiography were performed, and blood samples for biomarker assessment were obtained.