A mediterranean-style diet and left ventricular mass (from the northern manhattan study)
The American Journal of Cardiology, 12/01/2014 Clinical Article
Gardener H, et al. – The authors hypothesized that adherence to a DT would be inversely associated with left ventricular (LV) mass in the multi–ethnic population–based Northern Manhattan Study. Greater adherence to a DT is associated with decreased LV mass, an important risk factor for CVD, and this association may be partly mediated by obesity. The association with LV mass may be involved in the protective effect of a DT on clinical vascular outcomes.
Highlights
1.A Mediterranean-style diet was inversely associated with left ventricular mass.
2.The association between a MeDi and LV mass may be partly mediated by obesity.
3.Cereals and grains and moderate alcohol use were associated with reduced LV mass.
Abstract
One mechanism linking diet, specifically the Mediterranean-style diet (DT), with cardiovascular disease prevention may be an association between a DT and LV mass. However, there is little data on this relationship. We hypothesized that adherence to a DT would be inversely associated with left ventricular (LV) mass in the multi-ethnic population-based Northern Manhattan Study. The study included 1937 participants with diet assessments and LV mass measured using echocardiography (mean age=67±9years, 39% male, 58% Hispanic, 20% White, 20% Black). A DT adherence score (range=0-9, 9 representing maximal adherence) was examined continuously and categorically (score 6-9 representing the top quartile vs. 0-5). Multivariable-adjusted linear regression models were constructed to examine the cross-sectional association between DT and LV mass. An inverse association was observed between the DT score and LV mass. In a model controlling for demographics, behavioral risk factors, diabetes and blood pressure variables, LV mass was 1.98 g lower for each 1-point greater DT score, and those with scores of 6-9 had an average LV mass that was 7.30 g smaller than those with scores of 0-5. The association was attenuated but remained statistically significant after additionally adjusting for BMI. Results were similar when LV mass was corrected for height (LVM/HT2.7). In conclusion, greater adherence to a DT is associated with decreased LV mass, an important risk factor for CVD, and this association may be partly mediated by obesity. The association with LV mass may be involved in the protective effect of a DT on clinical vascular outcomes.