5.3.1 Evidence statements for cardioprotective dietary advice

5.3.1 Evidence statements for cardioprotective dietary advice

Low fat diet

5.3.1.1.

No randomised controlled trials were identified in people at high risk of CVD that compared low fat diet with usual diet for the outcomes mortality or morbidity.

5.3.1.2.

One small randomised controlled trial in people at high risk of CVD with elevated cholesterol and triglycerides found that advice to reduce consumption of fat, sugar and alcohol was associated with reduction in total cholesterol and fasting triglycerides compared with control.

5.3.1.3.

In patients with suspected CHD, one small randomised controlled trial found that adopting a lipid–lowering diet reduced total cardiac events compared to usual care but did not confer any benefit for the outcomes of cardiovascular mortality, MI, stroke, coronary surgery or angioplasty. Lipid–lowering diet was associated with decreased total and LDL cholesterol compared to baseline levels.

5.3.1.4.

No randomised controlled trials were identified that compared low fat diet with usual diet in patients with peripheral arterial disease or following stroke.

Increased fruit and vegetable diet

5.3.1.5.

No randomised controlled trials were identified that compared increased fruit and vegetables diet with usual diet in people at high risk of CVD.

5.3.1.6.

One randomised controlled trial in patients with angina found that advice to increase consumption of fruit and vegetables was not associated with a reduction in all cause mortality, cardiac death or sudden death compared with advice to eat sensibly.

5.3.1.7.

No randomised controlled trials were identified that compared increased fruit and vegetables diet with usual diet in patients with peripheral arterial disease or following stroke.

5.3.1.8.

One randomised controlled trial in patients with angina found that advice to eat oily fish or take omega 3 fatty acid supplements was not associated with a reduction all cause mortality or cardiac death.

5.3.1.9.

One randomised controlled trial in hypercholesterolemic people without and with coronary artery disease found that omega 3 fatty acid supplements was associated with a reduction in the primary outcome of any major cardiovascular event, and the secondary outcomes of unstable angina and non fatal coronary events (HR 0.81, 95%CI 0.68 to 0.96)