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

Abstract

ObjectiveAssess the dietary recommendations provided to patients hospitalized for a coronary heart disease (CHD) event. DesignCross-sectional, multicentre observational study (ESC EORP Euroaspire V). Methods8261 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. ResultsAdvice 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. ConclusionDietary advice is not systematically provided to patients with CHD, and considerable differences exist between European countries.