Mediterranean Diet and Other Dietary Patterns in Primary Prevention of Heart Failure and Changes in Cardiac Function Markers: A Systematic Review

Karina Sanches Machado D’Almeida,Gabriela Corrêa Souza,Priccila Zuchinali,Stefanny Ronchi Spillere

doi:10.3390/nu10010058

Karina Sanches Machado D’Almeida, Gabriela Corrêa Souza + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10010058

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Abstract

Background: Heart failure (HF) is a complex syndrome and is recognized as the ultimate pathway of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Studies using nutritional strategies based on dietary patterns have proved to be effective for the prevention and treatment of CVD. Although there are studies that support the protective effect of these diets, their effects on the prevention of HF are not clear yet. Methods: We searched the Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases for studies that examined dietary patterns, such as dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH diet), paleolithic, vegetarian, low-carb and low-fat diets and prevention of HF. No limitations were used during the search in the databases. Results: A total of 1119 studies were identified, 14 met the inclusion criteria. Studies regarding the Mediterranean, DASH, vegetarian, and Paleolithic diets were found. The Mediterranean and DASH diets showed a protective effect on the incidence of HF and/or worsening of cardiac function parameters, with a significant difference in relation to patients who did not adhere to these dietary patterns. Conclusions: It is observed that the adoption of Mediterranean or DASH-type dietary patterns may contribute to the prevention of HF, but these results need to be analyzed with caution due to the low quality of evidence.

Highlights

Heart Failure (HF) is considered a complex clinical condition that compromises the heart’s ability to deliver oxygen properly to tissues
Our results showed that adhering to a Mediterranean or DASH type diet may be advantageous for primary prevention of Heart failure (HF)
The results from randomized clinical trials (RCTs) showed a protective effect of the Mediterranean diet on the incidence of HF or worsening of cardiac function parameters for patients with previous cardiovascular disease

Summary

Introduction

Heart Failure (HF) is considered a complex clinical condition that compromises the heart’s ability to deliver oxygen properly to tissues. In a study including 6597 patients with acute heart failure attended at 34 Spanish Emergency Departments from 2007 to 2014, the mortality rate was 2.8% within 3 days after hospitalization [4]. Heart failure (HF) is a complex syndrome and is recognized as the ultimate pathway of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Studies using nutritional strategies based on dietary patterns have proved to be effective for the prevention and treatment of CVD. Methods: We searched the Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases for studies that examined dietary patterns, such as dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH diet), paleolithic, vegetarian, low-carb and low-fat diets and prevention of HF. Studies regarding the Mediterranean, DASH, vegetarian, and Paleolithic diets were found

Methods

Results

Conclusion