Molecular mechanisms underlying sarcopenia in heart failure

Abstract

The loss of skeletal muscle, also known as sarcopenia, is an aging-associated muscle disorder that is disproportionately present in heart failure (HF) patients. HF patients with sarcopenia have poor outcomes compared to the overall HF patient population. The prevalence of sarcopenia in HF is only expected to grow as the global population ages, and novel treatment strategies are needed to improve outcomes in this cohort. Multiple mechanistic pathways have emerged that may explain the increased prevalence of sarcopenia in the HF population, and a better understanding of these pathways may lead to the development of therapies to prevent muscle loss. This review article aims to explore the molecular mechanisms linking sarcopenia and HF, and to discuss treatment strategies aimed at addressing such molecular signals.