Adherence to Dietary Patterns and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: A Cross-Sectional Study of Total Carotid Plaque Area in Argentina.

Objective: Assessing subclinical atherosclerosis (sAT) is crucial for preventing cardiovascular disease. The Mediterranean diet is considered the gold standard for cardiovascular protection, but cultural and economic barriers can hinder adherence to it. The prudent dietary pattern (DP) has been associated with protective effects against chronic diseases. However, its impact on primary cardiovascular prevention remains uncertain. This study examined adherence to various DPs and their effect on sAT, measured by total carotid plaque area (TPA). Methods: This cross-sectional study included 116 adults enrolled in a cardiovascular prevention program. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and TPA data were collected. Adherence to DPs was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Participants were categorized according to their adherence to 4 mutually exclusive DPs: prudent, traditional, sweet, and mixed. Generalized linear models were used to assess the effect of DPs on TPA, adjusting for relevant cardiovascular variables. Results: The traditional, sweet, and mixed DPs were associated with higher TPA values than the prudent DP, with medians (interquartile range) of 27 (99), 39 (49), 27.5 (58), and 0 (36) mm Conclusion: These findings underscore the importance of additional research and targeted interventions to promote healthier DPs to promote improvements in cardiovascular health.