The relationship between functional performance in patients with heart failure and quality of life (QOL)

Fatigue and exertional dyspnea caused considerable impairment in the functional performance and quality of life in heart failure (HF) patients, therefore it influence all aspects of life negatively. This study was aimed to relation between quality of life and functional performance in patients with heart failure. This study implemented on 60 patients with heart failure (class II, III) in Ahvaz city (2006). Quality of life of the patients measured by Minnesota living with heart failure questionnaire (MLHFQ) and also 6-minute walking test (6-MWT) was used for determination of patient's functional performance. Spearman's correlation coefficient, t-test and liner regression used for data analysis. There was a significant correlation among quality of life with age, functional class (II, III), length of disease, smoking, left ventricular ejection fraction and 6-minute walking test (P< 0.05). Also patients’ ability in 6-minute walking test was statistically correlate with above- mentioned variables. Linear regression analysis showed that age, functional class (II, III), functional performance (6-minute walking test) could predict quality of life in patients with heart failure (P< 0.05). According to the research findings, high functional performance in patients with heart failure associated with better quality of life, therefore improvement of functional performance by cardiac rehabilitation and controlling other manageable variables could promote health in this patients