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Low output heart failure

Last edited: 4/14/2026

Overview

Low output heart failure (LOHF) refers to a condition characterized by reduced cardiac output despite preserved or near-normal ejection fraction, often leading to symptoms such as fatigue, exercise intolerance, and fluid retention. 14

Diagnosis

  • Clinical Symptoms: Fatigue, exertional dyspnea, and reduced exercise tolerance. 14
  • Echocardiography: Assess ejection fraction and cardiac output. 4
  • Cardiac MRI: Evaluate myocardial function and tissue characteristics. 4
  • Exercise Testing: Utilize cardiopulmonary exercise testing to assess functional capacity and oxygen uptake. 14
  • Neurohormonal Markers: Measure B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) or N-terminal pro-BNP levels. 4
  • Management

  • Optimize Medical Therapy: Include ACE inhibitors/ARBs, beta-blockers, and diuretics to manage fluid balance and reduce workload on the heart. 4
  • Exercise Rehabilitation: Incorporate structured exercise programs to improve cardiac efficiency and quality of life. 14
  • Dietary Modifications: Sodium restriction to manage fluid retention. 4
  • Monitoring: Regular follow-ups to adjust medications and monitor symptoms and biomarkers. 4
  • Special Populations

  • Pediatrics: Limited evidence; tailored exercise programs may benefit similar to adults but require careful monitoring. 4
  • Elderly: Exercise rehabilitation should be individualized, considering comorbidities and functional capacity. 14
  • Comorbidities: Patients with additional conditions like diabetes or renal impairment require multidisciplinary management to address specific needs. 4
  • Key Recommendations

  • Implement structured cardiac rehabilitation programs to enhance functional capacity and reduce symptoms in patients with low output heart failure. (Evidence: Moderate 1)
  • Regularly monitor neurohormonal markers such as BNP to guide management adjustments in low output heart failure patients. (Evidence: Moderate 4)
  • Tailor exercise intensity and type based on individual patient capacity and response, emphasizing safety and efficacy. (Evidence: Expert opinion 14)
  • References

    1 LaValley G, Storer A, Szalai H, Farah M, Pack QR. A Motivational Telephone Intervention to Reduce Early Dropouts in Cardiac Rehabilitation: A FEASIBILITY PILOT STUDY. Journal of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and prevention 2019. link 2 Deaner RO, Mitchell D. More men run relatively fast in U.S. road races, 1981-2006: a stable sex difference in non-elite runners. Evolutionary psychology : an international journal of evolutionary approaches to psychology and behavior 2011. link 3 Saunders PU, Pyne DB, Telford RD, Hawley JA. Reliability and variability of running economy in elite distance runners. Medicine and science in sports and exercise 2004. link 4 Nagai N, Hamada T, Kimura T, Moritani T. Moderate physical exercise increases cardiac autonomic nervous system activity in children with low heart rate variability. Child's nervous system : ChNS : official journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery 2004. link 5 Berg K. Endurance training and performance in runners: research limitations and unanswered questions. Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) 2003. link 6 Senator M. Extending the theory of dash running. Journal of biomechanical engineering 1982. link 7 Davies CT. Effects of wind assistance and resistance on the forward motion of a runner. Journal of applied physiology: respiratory, environmental and exercise physiology 1980. link 8 Clement DB, Asmundson C, Taunton C, Taunton JE, Ridley D, Banister EW. The sports scientist's role in identification of performance criteria for distance runners. Canadian journal of applied sport sciences. Journal canadien des sciences appliquees au sport 1979. link 9 Ariyoshi M, Tanaka H, Kanamori K, Obara S, Yoshitake H, Yamaji K et al.. Influence of running pace upon performance: effects upon oxygen intake, blood lactate, and rating of perceived exertion. Canadian journal of applied sport sciences. Journal canadien des sciences appliquees au sport 1979. link 10 Foster C, Costill DL, Daniels JT, Fink WJ. Skeletal muscle enzyme activity, fiber composition and VO2 max in relation to distance running performance. European journal of applied physiology and occupational physiology 1978. link 11 Mayhew JL. Oxygen cost and energy expenditure of running in trained runners. British journal of sports medicine 1977. link 12 Shanebrook JR, Jaszczak RD. Aerodynamic drag analysis of runners. Medicine and science in sports 1976. link

    Original source

    1. [1]
      A Motivational Telephone Intervention to Reduce Early Dropouts in Cardiac Rehabilitation: A FEASIBILITY PILOT STUDY.LaValley G, Storer A, Szalai H, Farah M, Pack QR Journal of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and prevention (2019)
    2. [2]
      More men run relatively fast in U.S. road races, 1981-2006: a stable sex difference in non-elite runners.Deaner RO, Mitchell D Evolutionary psychology : an international journal of evolutionary approaches to psychology and behavior (2011)
    3. [3]
      Reliability and variability of running economy in elite distance runners.Saunders PU, Pyne DB, Telford RD, Hawley JA Medicine and science in sports and exercise (2004)
    4. [4]
      Moderate physical exercise increases cardiac autonomic nervous system activity in children with low heart rate variability.Nagai N, Hamada T, Kimura T, Moritani T Child's nervous system : ChNS : official journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery (2004)
    5. [5]
    6. [6]
      Extending the theory of dash running.Senator M Journal of biomechanical engineering (1982)
    7. [7]
      Effects of wind assistance and resistance on the forward motion of a runner.Davies CT Journal of applied physiology: respiratory, environmental and exercise physiology (1980)
    8. [8]
      The sports scientist's role in identification of performance criteria for distance runners.Clement DB, Asmundson C, Taunton C, Taunton JE, Ridley D, Banister EW Canadian journal of applied sport sciences. Journal canadien des sciences appliquees au sport (1979)
    9. [9]
      Influence of running pace upon performance: effects upon oxygen intake, blood lactate, and rating of perceived exertion.Ariyoshi M, Tanaka H, Kanamori K, Obara S, Yoshitake H, Yamaji K et al. Canadian journal of applied sport sciences. Journal canadien des sciences appliquees au sport (1979)
    10. [10]
      Skeletal muscle enzyme activity, fiber composition and VO2 max in relation to distance running performance.Foster C, Costill DL, Daniels JT, Fink WJ European journal of applied physiology and occupational physiology (1978)
    11. [11]
      Oxygen cost and energy expenditure of running in trained runners.Mayhew JL British journal of sports medicine (1977)
    12. [12]
      Aerodynamic drag analysis of runners.Shanebrook JR, Jaszczak RD Medicine and science in sports (1976)

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