Abstract: Objective: To investigate the current status of health literacy and its influencing factors among patients with Chronic Heart Failure (CHF). Methods: totally 180 CHF patients were recruited by convenience sampling method from outpatient department in 3 tertiary general hospitals in Shanghai from October, 2017 to September, 2018. Self-designed demographic and health status questionnaire, Social Support Rating Scale and the Chinese version of Heart Failure Specific Health literacy scale were applied. Results: The mean score of health literacy was 28.72±9.36. The mean score of critical health literacy was 2.08±0.85. Multiple hierarchical regression analysis suggested that age, place of residence, education, NYHA class and social support were the main influencing factors of health literacy in CHF patients. Conclusion: Health literacy especially critical health literacy in CHF patients is relatively poor. Enhancing social support may improve CHF patients' health literacy. Health workers should pay more attention to CHF patients who are older, living in rural areas, less educated, and have poorer NYHA class.

Key words: Chronic Heart Failure; health literacy; social support