Role of the cardioprotective diet in preventing coronary heart disease.

Abstract

Diet is a significant feature in the prevention of primary and secondary coronary heart disease (CHD). Obesity management is crucial because of its direct influence on many CHD risk factors, angina symptoms and capacity to exercise. Much evidence is available on the best dietary and nutritional intake for maximum cardiac protection. The dietary habits enjoyed by the Mediterranean countries appear to confer the best health benefits. These involve eating plenty of fruit, vegetables, pulses, nuts, cereal products, olive oil and fish and only small amounts of meat and dairy foods. The Mediterranean diet does not contain the amounts of animal fats, margarines, cakes, sweets, biscuits and manufactured foods that are characteristic of the British diet. Nurses, in their professional capacity, can motivate and support patients to change their eating habits.