Dietary measures among patients with coronary heart disease in Europe. ESC EORP Euroaspire V

Int J Cardiol. 2020 Mar 1:302:5-14. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2019.12.064. Epub 2019 Dec 31.

Abstract

Objective: Assess the dietary recommendations provided to patients hospitalized for a coronary heart disease (CHD) event.

Design: Cross-sectional, multicentre observational study (ESC EORP Euroaspire V).

Methods: 8261 participants (25.8% women, 9.3% aged<50 years) from 27 countries, 6 to 24 months after hospitalization for a CHD event were included. Participants were asked if they had been advised to reduce salt, fat or sugar intake, change type of fat consumed, and increase consumption of plant stanols/sterols, fruit & vegetables, fish and oily fish. Self-reported changes were recorded.

Results: Advice to reduce energy intake, salt, fat and sugar was provided to 64.5% [range: 9.2-90.5], 73.2% [38.6-95.2], 77.3% [42.3-95.6] and 67.0% [39.4-93.3] of patients, respectively. Advice to change fat type, increase consumption of plant stanols/sterols, fruit & vegetables, fish and oily fish was provided to 68.3% [33.7-92.3], 36.7% [0.6-75.2], 73.2% [39.2-93.6], 66.5% [8.0-90.8] and 53.5% [3.7-83.3] of patients, respectively. Advices were more frequently provided to patients aged 50 to 69, with a high educational level, or obesity. One-eighth [0-55.0] of patients reported having consulted a dietician. Reductions in energy intake, salt, fat and sugar were reported by 57.7% [4.9-81.0], 69.9% [32.1-85.9], 71.8% [40.4-88.4] and 61.2% [29.0-84.0] of patients, respectively. Changes in fat type and increased consumption of plant stanols/sterols, fruit & vegetables, fish and oily fish were reported by 60.9% [4.9-81.0], 25.8% [0.6-54.1], 69.2% [27.7-88.4], 54.8% [4.0-80.1] and 40.4% [2.0-66.8] of patients, respectively.

Conclusion: Dietary advice is not systematically provided to patients with CHD, and considerable differences exist between European countries.

Keywords: Cardiovascular disease; Diet; Epidemiology; Secondary prevention.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Body Mass Index*
  • Coronary Disease / epidemiology
  • Coronary Disease / metabolism
  • Coronary Disease / prevention & control*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Diet / methods*
  • Energy Intake / physiology*
  • Europe / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Morbidity / trends
  • Risk Factors
  • Secondary Prevention / methods*