A new study led by researchers at the University of Alabama provides valuable insights into the relationship between diet and sudden cardiac death, a leading cause of mortality in the United States.
The study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, found that the type of diet one consumes could significantly influence the risk of experiencing sudden cardiac death.
The Study and Its Methodology
Led by Dr. James M. Shikany, the team analyzed the diets of more than 21,000 participants using a food questionnaire.
The questionnaire inquired about the frequency and portions of 110 different foods consumed in the past year.
Based on these responses, the researchers calculated a Mediterranean diet score for each participant and identified five distinct dietary patterns, including one termed the “Southern” eating pattern.
This diet consists largely of added fats, fried foods, eggs, organ and processed meats, and sugar-sweetened beverages.
The researchers also recorded any heart-related events among the participants over an average period of 10 years.
Key Findings
More than 400 sudden cardiac deaths occurred during the study period.
The team found that those who regularly consumed a Southern-style diet had a 46% higher risk of sudden cardiac death compared to those who adhered least to this dietary pattern.
On the other hand, participants who closely followed a Mediterranean diet—characterized by a high intake of fruits, vegetables, fish, cereals, and legumes—had a 26% lower risk of sudden cardiac death.
For those without any coronary heart disease at the beginning of the study, adhering closely to the Mediterranean diet was linked to an impressive 41% reduction in the risk of sudden cardiac death.
Implications and Recommendations
The findings of the study indicate that diet is a modifiable risk factor for sudden cardiac death.
They echo the broader medical consensus about the heart-health benefits of a Mediterranean diet, while shedding new light on the potential risks associated with Southern-style eating patterns.
Health experts continue to recommend a diet low in sodium and saturated fats, and high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, to lower the risk of heart disease.
This study adds weight to those recommendations and specifically identifies dietary patterns that could influence the risk of sudden cardiac death.
As heart-related issues continue to be a major public health concern, these findings could guide future dietary recommendations and public health initiatives aimed at reducing the incidence of sudden cardiac death.
If you care about heart health, please read studies that vitamin K helps cut heart disease risk by a third, and a year of exercise reversed worrisome heart failure.
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