Lessons learned? Changes in dietary behavior after a coronary event.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: A healthy diet is recommended for the prevention of coronary artery disease (CAD), but whereas patients with CAD adhere to a healthy diet is unclear. We aimed to assess the impact of a CAD event on dietary intake. METHODS: Prospective, population-based, observational study conducted between 2009 and 2017. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Three comparisons were performed: 1) between participants with history of CAD and gender- and age-matched controls; 2) before and after the occurrence of a CAD event, and 3) between participants with an incident CAD event and gender- and age-matched controls. RESULTS: In analysis 1), after multivariable adjustment, participants with history of CAD had a lower total energy intake than controls (adjusted mean ± standard error: 1833 ± 36 vs. 1940 ± 26 kcal/day, p = 0.022), while no difference was found for all other dietary markers. In analysis 2) (n = 87) total energy intake increased (1927 ± 593 vs. 2100 ± 700 kcal/day before and after the event, respectively, p = 0.029) and prevalence of low fat diet decreased (35.6% vs. 21.8%, p = 0.036), while no difference was found for all other dietary markers. In analysis 3), participants with incident CAD had higher vegetable protein intake (adjusted mean ± standard error 4.8 ± 0.1 vs. 4.5 ± 0.1% of total energy intake, p = 0.028), AHEI score (34 ± 1 vs. 31 ± 1, p = 0.032), and complied more frequently with vegetables guidelines [odds ratio and 95% confidence interval; 7.64 (1.06-55.2)] than controls, while no differences were found for all other dietary markers CONCLUSIONS: In Switzerland, secondary prevention of CAD by diet is seldom implemented.

No association between dietary markers and incident hypertension in a population-based sample.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Many trials have shown that dietary interventions reduce the incidence of hypertension. Whether these findings also apply in the general population is debated. We assessed the association between dietary markers and incidence of hypertension. DESIGN: prospective observational study. METHODS: Population-based study conducted between April 2009 and April 2017 in Lausanne, Switzerland. 2079 participants (60.6% women, 53.9 ± 9.0 years, age range 40-80), devoid of hypertension at baseline, were followed for a median time of 63 months. Hypertension was defined as systolic BP ≥ 140 mm Hg or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mm Hg or anti-hypertensive medication. Self-reported dietary intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Analysis was conducted using logistic regression. RESULTS: 370 participants (17.8%) developed hypertension. On bivariate analysis, no association was found between all food items, dietary scores and compliance to dietary guidelines and incident hypertension. Similar findings were observed after multivariable analysis. CONCLUSION: Over a period of 5 years, one sixth of the Swiss population aged 40 to 80 developed hypertension. No association was found between dietary markers and incident hypertension. Current dietary behaviours are insufficient to prevent hypertension in the general population.