Clinical & Experimental Cardiology
Open Access

Abstract

Dietary Patterns that Decrease Cardiovascular Disease and Increase Longevity

Jennifer A. Fleming, Simone Holligan and Penny M. Kris-Etherton

Coronary heart disease progression and its toll on health and longevity are inextricably linked to diet and lifestyle practices. Aging results in a progressive worsening of vascular function, and accompanying CHD risk factors, that are caused by unhealthy diet and lifestyle practices. Implementing healthy dietary patterns alone or in conjunction with pharmacotherapy favorably affects cardiovascular health, quality of life and longevity. Among the most consistent findings from nutrition epidemiology research is that certain dietary patterns are associated with lower chronic disease risk over long periods of time. These patterns are typically plant-based and are abundant in fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts and seeds. The dietary patterns that increase risk are low in a variety of plant foods and higher in fatty meats, solid fats and added sugars. Research shows that the Mediterranean diet, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, and certain vegetarian diets (e.g., Portfolio Diet and Ornish diet), reduce multiple risk factors associated with CVD. All of these dietary patterns are low in saturated fat, trans fat and dietary cholesterol and achieve nutrient adequacy. A healthy dietary pattern also promotes a healthy body weight. The purpose of this paper is to inform clinicians about the evidence base in support of cardioprotective dietary patterns for CVD prevention and treatment. Furthermore, adoption of healthy dietary pattern in individuals with hypertension and elevated cholesterol levels may prevent the need for drug therapy or the need to increase drug doses to meet blood pressure and lipid/lipoprotein targets.