Question

A 60-year-old woman with long-standing hypertension and type 2 diabetes presents with worsening ankle oedema and exertional dyspnoea. Echocardiography shows a preserved ejection fraction (60%) with concentric LV hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction. What is the most important non-pharmacological intervention to address her heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)?

Accepted Answer

Smoking cessation and graded aerobic exercise programme

Answer

Strict fluid restriction to 500 mL/day

Answer

Long-term bed rest to reduce cardiac workload

Answer

High-salt diet to maintain intravascular volume

Answer

Avoid all exercise due to risk of arrhythmia

Practice question