A recent study presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2025 demonstrates that providing healthy food deliveries to heart failure patients after hospital discharge significantly improves their quality of life. The research involved 150 adults who had been recently hospitalized for acute heart failure, with participants receiving either medically tailored meals, fresh produce boxes with dietary counseling, or dietary counseling alone.
Patients who received food deliveries reported substantially better quality of life scores compared to those who only received dietary guidance, according to responses on the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire. The study found that participants receiving conditional food deliveries—those requiring medication pick-up and clinic attendance—showed even greater quality of life improvements than those receiving unconditional deliveries. Interestingly, patients who received fresh produce boxes reported higher satisfaction than those receiving prepared meals, suggesting the value of involving patients in meal preparation.
Lead researcher Ambarish Pandey, M.D., M.S., FAHA, from UT Southwestern Medical Center, emphasized the critical importance of proper nutrition for heart failure patients. "People with heart failure can often experience their condition worsening if they are not eating the right kind of food after they go home from the hospital," Pandey stated. "People need nutritious meals that can provide them with the right nutrients for optimal health, including the appropriate calorie intake, the right amount of protein and limited sodium, sugar and fat."
The study population reflected significant health challenges, with 95% of participants having high blood pressure, 54% diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, and substantial rates of food insecurity (53%) and nutrition insecurity (55%). These social determinants of health are increasingly recognized as crucial factors in cardiovascular outcomes. The research aligns with broader evidence from the American Heart Association's Systematic Review of "Food Is Medicine" Randomized Controlled Trials for Noncommunicable Disease in U.S., which shows potential for food-based interventions to improve diet quality and food security.
While the food delivery programs showed clear benefits for quality of life, the study found no significant differences in hospital readmissions or emergency department visits between groups. During the 90-day study period, there were 32 total hospital readmissions and emergency department visits for heart failure, with 18% of participants experiencing one or more readmissions or emergency visits.
The findings have important implications for healthcare systems and policymakers considering how to address the social determinants of health. Pandey noted, "These findings indicate the potential for healthy foods to affect outcomes and disease progression for people with chronic conditions like heart failure. If we can identify the best strategy for providing access to healthy food, this could be transformative for people with heart failure who are particularly vulnerable after hospitalization." He added, "I think healthy food can be as powerful as medications for people with chronic conditions like heart failure."
The study was funded by the American Heart Association's Health Care by Food™ initiative, which aims to advance food-based interventions in healthcare. Researchers acknowledge limitations including the small sample size and short follow-up period, but are planning a larger phase 3 trial with 1,200–1,500 participants across multiple hospitals to further investigate whether food programs can reduce hospitalizations and improve survival rates.
