Table 1 The characteristics of participants

Age, year (mean, SD)

60.0 (11.1)

59.4 (12.7)

Gender, male (no., %)

112 (70)

228 (68)

Living with partner/spouse (no., %)

147 (91.8)

302 (90.1)

Years of education (mean, SD)

7.5 (3.1)

8.9 ( 4.4)

Body mass index (kg/m²)

24 (3.9)

26 (4.9)

Heart failure characteristics

Ischemic heart failure, (no., %)

116 (72.5)

239 (71.3)

Duration since heart failure, years (mean, SD)

4.9 (1.9)

(2.1) 5

Left ventricular ejection fraction (no., %)

24.9 (0.9)

26.6 ( 0.7)

Hypertension (no., %)

44 (27.5)

97(28.9)

CABG (no., %)

54 (33.7)

120 (35.8)

Diabetes (no., %)

63 (39.3)

147 (43.8)