Hippocrates’ famous aphorism “we are what we eat” is more than ever pertinent at the present time. Indeed, strong scientific evidence has demonstrated that dietary patterns are important determinants of health status, especially concern- ing the cardiovascular system. However, nutri- tion must be considered not only as an energetic source, but must be integrated with its other components: culture, beliefs, tradition, and pleasure. This complexity explains why behavioral modifications in nutrition are so difficult to promote and sustain in people, often needing deep changes in ways of being and thinking.
Moreover, as cardiovascular prevention is multi- factorial, healthy food choices must often be combined with other behavioral modifications, such as smoking cessation or physical exercise, so our main task will be to help patients to cope with all these recommendations. For this purpose, this section will deal not only with the theoretical aspects, but also with the practical aspects of nutrition.
Main Messages
Chapter 23: Secondary Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease: Impact of Nutrition on the Risk of Fatal Complications and Importance of the Concept of Omega-3 Deficiency
In this chapter the role of nutrients in the pre- vention, occurrence, and treatment of cardiovas- cular disease (CVD), including heart failure, is
described, as is the protective role of nutrients against sudden cardiac death.
Can adequate food habits protect against the development of the inflammatory component of CVD? Can it prevent plaque rupture? A re- commendation for a “minimum” dietary program based upon the experiences from the Mediter- ranean diet studies concludes the chapter.
Chapter 24: Nutrition Counseling for Diabetic Patients
Nutritional counseling is a key component of cardiac prevention and rehabilitation and this is especially the case for the many diabetic patients among par- ticipants in cardiac rehabilitation programs.
This chapter gives a concise overview of the specific nutritional guidelines for patients with diabetes mellitus and concludes with useful prac- tical recommendations on cooking, reading food labels, and eating out.
Chapter 25: Nutritional Counseling for Overweight Patients and Patients with Metabolic Syndrome
The global pandemic of overnutrition and the metabolic syndrome (MetS) calls for a structural change in programs for cardiovascular disease prevention and rehabilitation. Weight control has become increasingly important. Reducing energy intake is the cornerstone of weight management therapy and the key to successful weight manage- ment is to provide patients with a dietary regimen that results in long-term compliance.
Section IV
Nutrition
180 Nutrition
This chapter states that the most effective thera- peutic intervention in subjects with MetS is lifestyle changes, with the focus on modest weight reduc- tion and regular leisure-time physical activities.
Chapter 26: Nutritional Counseling:
Practical Models
The road from nutritional guidelines to practical application in the context of a comprehensive
cardiac rehabilitation program is not an easy one for health workers and patients. This chapter aims at giving practical guidance based upon the long-standing experience of the team at the Bois-Gilbert Cardiac Rehabilitation Centre in France.
The chapter includes organizational issues and practical modalities and looks at nutritional counseling from the patient’s perspective.
