The influence of lifestyle habits on the perception of vestibular symptoms in patients with heart failure

Purpose  To determine whether lifestyle habits influence the self-perception of cardiac symptoms and dizziness in patients with heart failure.

Methods  This is a cross-sectional, retrospective, analytical study approved by the Research Ethics Committee (approval no. 4,462,519). The study analyzed 34 medical records of patients with a functional diagnosis of peripheral vestibular dysfunction, followed up at a cardiology outpatient clinic, collecting data on sex, age, body mass index, and lifestyle habits such as smoking, alcohol consumption, nutritional monitoring, and regular physical activity. It also analyzed scores from the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) and the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ). The data were subjected to inferential statistical analysis using analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Results  The patients’ mean age was 55.9 years, with a predominance of males (79.41%). Statistical differences were observed between the DHI emotional and total scores and alcohol consumption, and between the MLHFQ emotional scores and balanced diet. Regular physical activity differed statistically from the DHI and MLHFQ emotional impact and the total MLHFQ scores.

Conclusion  Harmful lifestyle habits such as alcohol consumption, poor diet, and a sedentary lifestyle negatively impacted the quality of life and self-perception of cardiological and vestibular symptoms in patients with heart failure and dizziness.

Keywords:
Heart Failure; Dizziness; Quality of Life; Healthy Lifestyle; Health Impact Assessment