Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is as important as survival to patients with heart failure (HF). Perceptions of loss of control are common in HF and negatively affect HRQOL. Knowledge of modifiable factors associated with perceived control could guide the development of interventions to improve perceived control and thus HRQOL. Accordingly, this study examined factors related to perceived control and the relationship between perceived control and HRQOL.

Patients (N=232, mean age 61±12, 67% male, 78% Caucasian) provided data on HRQOL (Minnesota Living with Heart Failure questionnaire), perceived control (Control Attitudes Scale-Revised), and factors possibly associated with perceived control (knowledge and barriers (Heart Failure Knowledge and Barriers to Adherence Scale), attitudes (Dietary Sodium Restriction Questionnaire), and social support (Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support)). Patients also provided data on depressive symptoms, which were a covariate of HRQOL. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to analyze the data.

Fewer barriers to following a low sodium diet, more positive attitudes toward following a low sodium diet, and better social support were related to higher perceived control (F=7.54, R²=0.17, p<0.001). Perceived control was independently associated with HRQOL, controlling for depressive symptoms, New York Heart Association functional class, age, gender, and all variables possibly associated with perceived control (F=29.67, R²=0.55, p<0.001).

Interventions targeting attitudes and barriers to a low sodium diet and social support may improve perceived control and, in turn, HRQOL.