Huma Amanulla, Shafya Shahid, Hamid Mahmood, Saira Khalid, Madiha Iqbal.
Assessment of Nutritional status of patients with atherosclerosis.
J Cardiovascular Dis Jan ;13(2):40-3.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was conducted to assess the nutritional status of patients with atherosclerosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A Sample of 50 male and 50 female patients was taken from the Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Lahore in the time period of 4 months. Questionnaire was filled by asking them the questions about their dietary and physical activity pattern, lipid profile was also assessed. RESULTS: The study found that most of the patients were not keen to do exercise on regular basis nor they were consuming a balanced diet. 51.43% patients were consuming ghee as a part of their daily diet which in turn increased their caloric intake i.e. 47.15% patients were consuming more than 2000 kcal/ day while having a sedentary life style with no or little physical activity. 57.14% of the sample fell into the over-weight category and were at risk of developing CVDs because 51.43% had little physical activity but not enough to prevent the risk for chronic diseases. Most of them had abnormal lipid profile i.e. 58.57% had high levels of cholesterol and only 25.71% had normal levels of HDL-cholesterol which has a protective effect against heart diseases. Almost all patients showed some clinical signs and symptoms related to atherosclerosis. CONCLUSION: It is concluded from this study that consumption of fat in form of ghee was high among these patients. Consumption of whole grains, fruits and vegetables were not according to the recommended servings. The group of patients surveyed consume fruits occasionally. Physical activity was not in the routine life of these patients. KEY WORDS: Atherosclerosis, plaque, hypertension, hypovitaminosis C, HDL, LDL

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