Congestive Heart Failure and Vitamin B1 Deficiency

A study published in the January 17, 2006, issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology reported that approximately one out of three patients hospitalized with heart failure have deficient levels of thiamin, also known as vitamin B1. Thiamin deficiency manifests as symptoms of congestive heart failure and, therefore, may worsen existing heart failure. Congestive heart failure patients may be at increased risk for thiamin deficiency as a result of diuretic-induced urine thiamin excretion, disease severity, malnutrition, and advanced age.

Researchers measured thiamin levels among 100 heart failure patients and compared them with measurements of 50 healthy subjects. They found a deficiency of the vitamin in 33 percent of the heart failure patients compared to 12 percent of those without the disease.

It has been observed that heart failure may increase the body's need for certain nutrients, so that even individuals with healthful diets may still come up short on vitamin B1. Researchers noted that a relatively small dose of thiamin from a multivitamin was protective against developing thiamin deficiency and may decrease disease severity in those with congestive heart failure.

J Am Coll Cardiol, 2006; 47:354-361