DIET AND ISCHEMIC BURDEN: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF A PLANT BASED REGIMEN VERSUS A MEDITERRANEAN REGIMEN IN PATIENTS WITH CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE

• Published in: Journal of the American College of Cardiology 2017-03, Vol.69 (11), p.48-48
• Main Authors: Elkoustaf, Rachid A, Ismail, Mohamed, Batiste, Columbus, Mercer, Adina, Aldaas, Omar, Newton, Darlene
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Angina pectoris; Cardiology; Cardiovascular; Cardiovascular disease; Coronary vessels; Diet; Internal Medicine
• ISSN: 0735-1097; 1558-3597
• DOI: 10.1016/S0735-1097(17)33437-X

Background: The cardio protective effects of various diet regimens in primary prevention have been studied and elucidated in registry data and more recently in a large randomized trial; however, there is a paucity of data regarding the effects of rigorous nutritional regimens in patients with established coronary heart disease (CHD) or CHD equivalent and more specifically vis a vis plaque regression Methods: We performed a randomized single center, single-blind study design on 100 patients with established CHD. 50 patients were randomly assigned to an outpatient lifestyle program (18 education sessions lasting 2 hours each during the first 12 weeks and followed by monthly sessions thereafter) that emphasized a whole food, low fat, plant based diet. 50 other patients were randomly assigned to a similarly established outpatient healthy heart program with an emphasis on a Mediterranean regimen. didactic sessions and cooking demonstrations were provided by a certified health educator and a registered dietician.