Body Composition in Heart Failure: A Phenotype-Informed Framework for Assessment and Management

The authors investigate how body composition metrics, particularly BMI and waist-based indices, relate to outcomes in heart failure (HF) patients, noting that traditional measures may not accurately reflect the complexities of body composition in this population. They propose a phenotype-informed framework that distinguishes between different biological profiles associated with adiposity, fluid retention, and muscle integrity, suggesting that this approach could enhance risk stratification and management strategies for HF patients. Ultimately, the framework aims to improve understanding of how similar BMI values can correspond to varying clinical risks and outcomes.