Mechanisms of Impaired Skeletal Muscle Blood Flow and Exercise Intolerance in Veterans With Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction: Efficacy of Knee Extensor Training
Heart failure with preserved ejection (HFpEF) disproportionately affects Veterans and is the number one reason for hospital discharge in the VA Health Care System. Exercise intolerance is a common complication experienced by patients with HFpEF, perpetuating physical inactivity and accelerating disease progression. This research proposal aims to elucidate mechanisms responsible for inadequate skeletal muscle blood flow and exercise intolerance in patients with HFpEF compared with healthy controls as well as following 8 weeks of exercise training in patients with HFpEF only.
• Age 18 years or older and able to give written informed consent
• New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class II or III
• Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) \> 50%
• Plasma Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) \>200 pg/mL or NT-proBNP 400 pg/mL at enrollment