Impact of diet on the management of cardiovascular risk factors

Abstract

Summary: Background and aims: A healthy diet is recommended for the management of hypertension, dyslipidaemia and diabetes. Whether a healthy diet contributes to risk factor control has seldom been assessed. We aimed at assessing the dietary intake of subjects treated for cardiovascular risk factors according to their control levels. Methods: Cross-sectional data from two periods (2009–2012 and 2014–2017) of a population-based study conducted in Lausanne, Switzerland. Participants medically treated for hypertension, dyslipidaemia or diabetes were included. Dietary intake was assessed using a self-administered, semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, and compared between participants controlled and not controlled for their risk factor. Results: After multivariable adjustment, controlled hypertension was associated with a higher compliance with fish consumption in the second period: odds ratio and (95% CI): 1.41 (1.08–1.85). Controlled dyslipidaemia was associated with a higher compliance with fish consumption in both periods: 1.68 (1.13–2.49) and 2.13 (1.24–3.66) for the first and the second period, respectively, and with at least three dietary guidelines in the second period: 2.32 (1.04–5.19). Controlled diabetes was associated with a lower consumption of total fat (32.7±0.7 vs. 35.6±0.6% of total energy intake), SFA and MUFA in the first period, and with a lower vegetable consumption and compliance with vegetables intake in the second period: 0.23 (0.06–0.82). No difference was found for most dietary markers for the three risk factors in both periods. Conclusion: Dietary intake differed little between participants with controlled and uncontrolled cardiovascular risk factors. Increased fish consumption might be beneficial to help control hypertension and dyslipidaemia.

Keywords

• Diet
• Cardiovascular risk management
• High blood pressure
• Dyslipidaemia
• Diabetes
• Switzerland