Evaluation of the cognitive function in patients with chronic heart failure: A cross-sectional study

Objective: To evaluate the cognitive function of patients with chronic heart failure and to verify the association of the cognitive function with clinical and socio-demographic variables. Method: A cross-sectional study conducted with 79 patients with heart failure followed up at a specialized clinic. The Mini-Mental State Exam questionnaire was used to assess the cognitive function. Results: Among the 79 eligible patients, 40 (50.6%) are female, 51 (64.6%) are older adults, with a mean age of 63.30[+ or -]11.93 years old, 53.2% are retired, and 50.6% have NYHA III functional class. For 62.0%, non-ischemic is evidenced as the probable etiology of the disease. Discussion: Through the data of this study it was possible to identify the association between the socio-demographic and clinical conditions with the cognition of patients with HF, showing that age is a variable associated with cognition. Conclusion: It is expected to understand the level of cognition of patients with heart failure and the factors associated with their impairment. Descriptors: Cognition; Hearth Failure; Cognitive Dysfunction