Early nutritional influences of cardiovascular health

Expert Rev Cardiovasc Ther. 2021 Dec 18. doi: 10.1080/14779072.2021.2021070. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTINTRODUCTION: Increasing evidence shows that nutritional choices during children's formative years, including prenatally, impacts the development of adult onset cardiovascular diseases (CVD), such as hypertension, myocardial infarction, or stroke.AREAS COVERED: This literature review aims to synthesize the current body of evidence on nutritional factors, from conception through adolescence, which may influence a person's risk factors for future development of cardiovascular disease.EXPERT OPINION: Given the escalating healthcare costs associated with cardiovascular disease, it is imperative that medical professionals and scientists remain steadfast in prioritizing and promoting early CVD prevention, even within the first few years of life. Though not the only contributing risk factor, diet is a modifiable risk factor and has been shown to have a profound impact on the reduction of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in adult literature. Nutritional choices should be targeted on multiple levels: prenatally with the mother, individually with the patient, in conjunction with their family unit, and also within the broader community wherein they reside. Healthcare providers can play a key advocacy role for local and national food environment policy changes.PMID:34927523 | DOI:10.1080/14779072.2021.2021070
Source: Expert Review of Cardiovascular Therapy - Category: Cardiology Authors: Source Type: research