TABLE 1.

Skeletal muscle abnormalities in older patients with heart failure

Skeletal muscle abnormalities in heart failure

Sarcopenia with loss of muscle mass, strength, and function

Easy fatigability and reduced tolerance to exercise

Increased fatty deposition in skeletal muscle.

Anabolic resistance of skeletal muscle proteins to stimuli such as nutrients, insulin, and exercise

Reduced proportion of type 1 and type IIa fibers with gain in type IIx fibers

Reduced microvascular density (capillarity)

Impaired vasodilatory mechanisms

Impaired skeletal muscle perfusion

Reduced conductive and diffusive oxygen transport

Impaired mitochondrial function with higher glycolytic and lower oxidative capacity