Diet & Exercise with Heart Failure Research Study
Researchers at the University of Virginia are partnering with individuals who have heart failure with preserved ejection fraction to evaluate the effects of high-intensity interval exercise and a high-fiber diet. Join our compensated study today!
Fast Facts
Diagnosed with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Able to be cleared by a physician to participate in exercise training
40+ Years Old
Compensation Provided
Conducted in Charlottesville, VA
Study Background
Our study seeks to examine the effect that either 4 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, or a combination of the two, have in patients diagnosed with heart failure with a preserved ejection fraction.
All groups will undergo a 4-week intervention that will consist of either:
- High-intensity interval exercise alone,
- DASH diet alone (provided with food from UVA Hospital Nutrition Services), or
- Combination (DASH+HIIT).
We want to observe the effects of each intervention on heart function, as well as sleep, blood pressure, quality of life, and body composition.
Your participation in this study may help researchers improve treatment approaches for heart failure. Further research today and join our compensated study!
Study Background
Our study seeks to examine the effect that either 4 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, or a combination of the two, have in patients diagnosed with heart failure with a preserved ejection fraction.
All groups will undergo a 4-week intervention that will consist of either:
- High-intensity interval exercise alone with diet advice,
- DASH diet alone (provided with food from UVA Hospital Nutrition Services), or
- Combination (DASH+HIIT).
We want to observe the effects of each intervention on heart function, as well as sleep, blood pressure, quality of life, and body composition.
Your participation in this study may help researchers improve treatment approaches for heart failure. Further research today and join our compensated study!
Additional Information
You may qualify for this study if you meet the following criteria.
Inclusion Criteria:
- 40+ years old
- Diagnosed with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
- NYHA class II-III symptoms
- Physician clearance to undergo exercise training
- Physician clearance to consume DASH diet
- Vaccinated against COVID-19
Exclusion Criteria:
- Unstable angina
- Myocardial infarction in the past 4 weeks
- Uncompensated heart failure
- NYHA class IV symptoms
- Complex ventricular arrhythmias
- Musculoskeletal problems with stationary bicycling exercise
- Symptomatic severe aortic stenosis
- Acute pulmonary embolus
- Acute myocarditis
- Uncontrolled hypertension
- Unable to follow DASH diet
- Allergies to nuts or wheat
- Pregnancy
If you are eligible after the screening visit and decide to enroll, participation involves:
Baseline Testing: Testing is conducted at the UVA Clinical Research Unit. Participants are asked to come in for testing after fasting. This visit typically takes ~3 hours. Tests performed on this visit include a stress test, echocardiogram, noninvasive blood pressures, flow mediated dilation, blood draws, and questionnaires.
Exercise Intervention: For those randomized to one of the exercise groups, you will be asked to come in for supervised exercise training in the UVA exercise physiology core lab 3 times per week.
Food Pickup: For those in the DASH diet only group, you will be asked to come to UVA once a week in order to pick up their food for the following week.
Post Testing: This will be a repeat of the baseline and will include the same tests. Testing is again conducted at the UVA Clinical Research Unit.
