Relationship of the healthy diet characteristics recommended by the 2021 ESC guidelines with vascular events in patients with established CVD - Summary - MDSpire

Relationship of the healthy diet characteristics recommended by the 2021 ESC guidelines with vascular events in patients with established CVD

  • By

  • Lukas L F Hoes

  • Johanna Marianne Geleijnse

  • François Mach

  • Yvo M Smulders

  • David Carballo

  • Ynte M Ruigrok

  • Martin Teraa

  • Manon G van der Meer

  • Yyvonne T van der Schouw

  • Frank L J Visseren

  • Charlotte Koopal

  • on behalf of the UCC-SMART study group

  • October 23, 2025

  • 0 min

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Objective:

To evaluate the extent to which patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) adhere to the Healthy Diet Characteristics recommended by the 2021 ESC guidelines and to quantify the relationship between these dietary traits and cardiovascular event risk.

Key Findings:
  • Patients reported adhering to a median of 4 out of 11 Healthy Dietary Characteristics.
  • 58% consumed at least 100 grams of fish per week.
  • Only 16% met the vegetable intake recommendation of ≥200 grams/day.
  • Higher compliance with Healthy Diet Characteristics was associated with a lower risk of non-fatal vascular events (HR 0.89).
Interpretation:

Compliance with the Healthy Diet Characteristics is low among patients with established CVD, but higher adherence correlates with a reduced risk of cardiovascular events.

Limitations:
  • The study relies on self-reported dietary data, which may be subject to bias.
  • The cohort may not be representative of all patients with CVD.
Conclusion:

Patients with established CVD should increase their intake of fiber-rich, plant-based foods and reduce saturated fat intake to lower cardiovascular disease risk.

Original Source(s)

Relationship of the healthy diet characteristics recommended by the 2021 ESC guidelines with vascular events in patients with established CVD

  • by Lukas L F Hoes, Johanna Marianne Geleijnse, François Mach, Yvo M Smulders, David Carballo, Ynte M Ruigrok, Martin Teraa, Manon G van der Meer, Yyvonne T van der Schouw, Frank L J Visseren, Charlotte Koopal, on behalf of the UCC-SMART study group

  • October 23, 2025

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