What is the relationship between body mass index and mortality in heart failure?
Several studies have found an association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality in heart failure. For example, a 2007 study by Fonarow et al. found that BMI was associated with a lower mortality rate among patients with acute heart failure. Furthermore, a 2011 study by Clark et al. found that waist circumference and BMI were positively associated with survival in systolic heart failure, suggesting an “obesity paradox”. However, a 2003 study by Lavie et al. found that BMI was positively associated with mortality in chronic systolic heart failure, suggesting a different relationship between BMI and mortality in different types of heart failure. In general, more research is needed to better understand the relationship between BMI and mortality in heart failure.  