THE BE T
Patient Focus
CARDIOSMART CORNER
A Nutritious Diet Makes a Healthy Heart
A nutritious diet is an important part of
cardiovascular health. While patients
know they should eat healthy, that is
often easier said than done. Late last
year, the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services
issued updated Dietary Guidelines for
Americans in an effort to help guide
the public when it comes to healthy
eating. The new guidelines, which
reflect the newest research and trends
in nutrition, are also intended to help
shape healthy policies and programs.
The dietary guidelines underscore
the importance of eating a healthy and
balanced diet that includes the right
amounts of proteins, carbohydrates
and fats, as well as drinking plenty of
water and getting regular exercise.
Moderation is also key. Talking to your
patients about these guidelines and
providing them with information on
healthy eating should be an important
part of their care.
CardioSmart.org contains a
number of resources for following a
HEART-HEALTHY
NUTRITION
DASH
Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension
(DASH) Diet focuses on LIMITING SALT
TO LESS THAN 1,500 MG/DAY.
This diet is LIGHT ON
MEAT & SWEETS.
FRUITS,
VEGETABLES
& WHOLE
GRAINS
FRUITS &
VEGETABLES
These diets:
· Help maintain a
HEALTHY WEIGHT
· LOWER THE RISK
of heart disease
· IMPROVE BLOOD
PRESSURE
BEANS,
LEGUMES
& WHOLE
GRAINS
LEAN
MEATS &
LOW-FAT
DAIRY
FISH, NUTS
& OLIVE OIL
LEGUMES, GRAINS,
SEEDS & NUTS
TIPS FROM THE NEW
DIETARY GUIDELINES
FRUITS &
VEGETABLES
VEGETARIAN
This dietary pattern CUTS OUT MEAT
and, in some cases, SEAFOOD & DAIRY.
Cut back
on sodium,
Boost your
intake of fruits,
sugars &
saturated
fats.
vegetables
& whole
grains.
Don't
forget to
exercise.
Information provided for educational purposes only.
Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific health needs.
If you would like to download or order additional posters
on various topic s, visit CardioSmart.org/Posters
12
CardioSource WorldNews
Martha Gulati, MD, MS
CardioSmart Editor-in-Chief
Lowering Prices of Fruits and
Veggies Could Save Lives
Talk with your doctor
& heart team about a
diet that’s right for you.
MEDITERRANEAN
heart-healthy diet, including tips for
eating healthy as a family, helping an
overweight child, nutritious meals for
picky eaters, and healthy eating on a
budget. Patients can also find information on healthy diet plans including the Mediterranean diet and the
DASH diet. The latest CardioSmart
infographic also highlights several of
the most common diets, as well as
tips from the new dietary guidelines.
It can be downloaded for free on the
CardioSmart website and is a great
tool to have on hand in exam rooms or
patient waiting areas.
Policies that lower prices of fruits and vegetables may be our best
weapon against heart disease, according to research presented at the
American Heart Association’s Epidemiology/Lifestyle 2016 Scientific
Sessions.
The first study, conducted at Tufts University and the University of
Liverpool, used a computer model to estimate the impact of changes
in fruit and vegetable prices and consumption on death rates. Researchers found
that reducing fruit
and vegetable
prices by 10%
through 2030
could lower the
death rate from
heart disease and
stroke by about
1% This change
would save an
estimated 64,000
to 69,000 lives
over the next 15
years. Better yet,
a 30% price drop would reduce the death rate by 3%, saving 191,000
to 205,000 lives by 2030.
A second study, conducted by researchers at Tufts University and Harvard Medical School, showed similar findings. Researchers found that a
10% price reduction on fruits and vegetables could decrease deaths from
heart disease by 2% in 20 years. Combined with a 10% price increase on
sugary beverages and a 10% price reduction on whole grains, we could
prevent an estimated 515,000 deaths from heart disease by 2035!
“A change in your diet can be challenging,” said Thomas A. Gaziano,
MD, MSc, the lead author and assistant professor at Brigham and
Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA. “But if achieved through personal
choice or changes in the market place, it can have a profound effect on
your cardiovascular health.” ■
References
Pearson-Stuttard J, Bandosz P, Rehm CD, et al. Circulation. 2016;133:AMP12.
Sy S, Peñalvo J, Abrahams-Gessel S, et al. Circulation. 2016;133:AP280.
June 2016