Cent Eur J Public Health 2002, 10(1-2):11-15

The Role of Traditional Mediterranean type of Diet and Lifestyle in the Development od Acute Coronary Syndromes: Preliminary results from Cardio2000 Study

Panagiotakos D.B., Pitsavos C., Chrysohoou C., Stefanadis C., Toutouzas P.

Hippokration Hospital, Cardiology Clinic, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Greece

The traditional Mediterranean type of diet is inversely associated with the risk of developing coronary heart disease. Aim of this study is to investigate the relationships between Mediterranean type of diet, various lifestyle factors and their contribution to the risk of developing acute coronary syndromes. During 2000, a case-control study was conducted (CARDIO2000) and food items as well as olive oil consumption were recorded in addition to various cardiovascular risk factors. Based on the estimated risk model we found that the Mediterranean type of diet reduces significantly the risk of developing acute coronary syndromes even in the presence of unfavorable lifestyle situations, such as sedentary life, smoking habit, as well as hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and diabetes mellitus.

Keywords: diet, acute coronary syndromes, risk factors

Published: June 1, 2002  Show citation