ROLE OF NUTRITION IN CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE PREVENTION

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of mortality worldwide and account for approximately 17.9 million deaths annually. Major cardiovascular risk factors, including hypertension, dyslipidaemia, obesity, diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, and chronic inflammation, are strongly influenced by dietary behaviour. Emerging evidence demonstrates that nutrition plays a critical role in both the prevention and progression of cardiovascular disease by modulating lipid metabolism, endothelial function, vascular inflammation, oxidative stress, and glucose homeostasis. This chapter reviews the relationship between nutrition and cardiovascular health, focusing on the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and the effects of major nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, dietary fibre, sodium, potassium, and antioxidants on cardiovascular risk. It also discusses evidence-based cardioprotective dietary patterns including the Mediterranean diet, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, and plant-based diets. Additionally, the chapter explores the evolution of cardiovascular nutrition from isolated nutrient-based recommendations to modern personalised nutrition and nutrigenomics. The challenges associated with dietary adherence, urbanisation, economic inequality, and nutritional illiteracy are highlighted. Current evidence strongly supports nutrition as a safe, affordable, and effective strategy for reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.