Diet and Cardiovascular Disease: Valvular Heart Disease, Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm, Carotid Artery Disease, Congenital Heart Disease and Heart Transplant Related Cardiac Problems

Abstract

This manuscript reviews the role of diet in five less common cardiovascular disorders (CVDs) namely, valvular disease, abdominal aortic aneurysm, carotid artery disease, congenital heart disease, and transplanted hearts. Valvular aortic stenosis is the most common valvular heart disease in the West. The 2-year mortality is almost 50% in untreated patients with symptomatic severe aortic valve stenosis. Unfortunately, there is no available pharmacological treatment to halt the disease progression. It is usually treated by open heart or transcatheter aortic valve replacement. Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is diagnosed when the aorta diameter exceeds 3 cm or increases by more than 50% compared with normal. AAA is estimated to occur in about 8% of males over the age of 65. An effective therapeutic strategy to halt or reverse the disease progression is lacking. Surgical repair is required when the maximum diameter reaches 50–55 mm. Patients with atherosclerotic diseases, including carotid artery disease, have a high long-term all-cause and cardiac-related mortality. An increase in carotid intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT) is usually the first measurable sign of atherosclerosis progression. Carotid ultrasound measurements are considered the method of choice to gauge IMT progression and subclinical atherosclerosis. Congenital heart diseases (CoHDs) are the most common defects presenting at birth, defined as abnormal development of the heart and great vessels. Heart transplantation patients face multiple factors, including the effects of prolonged debilitation prior to surgery and immunosuppression. Several studies have investigated the role of diet in these infrequently seen CVDs. The available data are reviewed in this manuscript.