Plant Based Diet in the Prevention and Reversal of CAD Compared to Invasive Procedures
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Plant Based Diet in the Prevention and Reversal of CAD Compared to Invasive Procedures
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most rampant form of heart disease in the U.S. It is sometimes known as ischemic heart disease or coronary heart disease. The primary cause for CAD is plaque buildup in the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart and other areas of the body. Plaque comprises of cholesterol and other elements in the artery. The buildup that happens through a process known as atherosclerosis causes the inner part of the arteries to constrict over time, which can partially or entirely impede blood flow. A person with CAD may experience chest pain or discomfort as the initial sign of CAD. The pain, or angina, is as a result of narrowed arteries that play fundamental functions in supplying blood in and out of the heart. Other than angina, other symptoms of CAD include shortness of breath, discomfort or pain in the shoulder, nausea, cold sweat, light-headedness, or weakness. Over time, CAD can cause a heart attack or heart failure when the heart can no longer effectively pump blood. Practitioners deploy various intervening approaches to diagnose and treat the condition. However, evidence suggest that emphasizing on plant-based diet is a better prevention and reversal technique as opposed to invasive procedures where an intervener gains access to the body through incision. The study presents evidence as presented by various researchers that show the significance of consuming plant-based foods as a suitable alternative for mitigating CAD compared to invasive procedures. The findings provide adequate awareness on the most appropriate way for handling CAD patients. The outcomes affirm that taking plant-based foods do not cause much plaque buildup and saves one the pain and stress of undergoing invasive procedures.
Article One
| Author, Year, Title, and Source | Design and General Quality | Sample Size and Participants | Interventions | Outcomes | Level of Evidence | Findings (BRIEF) |
| Esselstyn, C. (2017). A plant-based diet and coronary artery disease: A mandate for effective therapy. Journal pf Geriatric Cardiology, 14(5), 317-320. doi: 10.11909/j.issn.1671-5411.2017.05.004 | The researcher performs a correlational research with the goal of determining whether plant-based foods serve as an effective therapy for CAD as compared to available pharmacological interventions. They conduct two studies to gather relevant data; the first one in 1985 and the second one 2014. They divided participants into two groups – one taking plant-based diet and the other undergoing invasive procedures. Assessment of study quality Esselstyn (2017) minimized errors during the research by conducting the exercise based on prior information. Selection bias: The researcher focused on participants who were seriously ill with CAD and excluded those who show early signs of the CVD. Detection bias: No case of detection bias was recorded in the research. Attrition: The researcher did not lose any participant during the research process. | Study 1 (1985) – n= 24, males-13, females- 11. 43-70 years. Study 2 (2014) – n= 198, males -119, females – 79. 45-70 years. | In both studies, the researcher identify patients who have undergone a prior CAD intervention with bypass surgery or stents and are now considering alternative options such as a plant-based diet. | The study showed that CAD patients showed other comorbidities such as obesity, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, and hypertension, which cannot be mitigated using invasive procedures seeking to alleviate CAD alone. The study reveals that practitioners are increasingly educating patients about the significance taking a plant-based diet as a suitable way for preventing and reversing CAD. | 11 | The findings affirm that prioritizing plant-based foods over invasive procedures presents a suitable approach to preventing and reversing CAD. The study reveals that a plant-based diet is low in sugar, salt, cholesterol, and fat that could cause a plaque buildup in the coronary arteries. On the other hand, invasive procedures according to Esselstyn (2017) subject patients to considerable pain and discomfort because some processes may require a minor or major surgery. |
Article Two
| Author, Year, Title, and Source | Design and General Quality | Sample Size and Participants | Interventions | Outcomes | Level of Evidence | Findings (BRIEF) |
| Kaiser, J., Daalen, K., Thayyil, A., Cocco, M., Caputo, D., & Oliver-Williams, C. (2021). A systematic review of the association between vegan diets and risk of cardiovascular disease. The Journal of Nutrition, 151(6), 1539-1552. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/nxab037 | Kaiser et al. (2021) conducted a systematic review of literature with the objective of assessing the connection between plant-based foods and cardiovascular outcomes. They research relevant databases. Assessment of study quality The researchers independently evaluated the quality of researches utilizing the Cochrane Collaboration Tool as well as the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Each assessor converted the final score and discussed any discrepancies. Selection bias: The researchers solely focused on peer-reviewed articles and excluded those that do not show the effects of following a plant-based diet. Detection bias: No incident of detection bias was recorded. Attrition: No case of attrition was experienced. | Kaiser et al. (2021) systematically researched five databases, encompassing OpenGrey, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Ovid MEDLINE starting October 2020 utilizing a controlled vocabulary. They used search terms relating to cardiovascular health such as stroke, diet such as plant-based and vegan, and relevant groups such as humans. | The participants in most of the evaluated papers underwent both invasive procedures and adhered to a plant-based diet. Each paper also evaluates the effects of both intervention methods and report on their findings. | The outcomes were measured while relying on the rate of progress. The outcomes also varied from one paper to the other with the common view being that sticking a plant-based diet has more influence on reserving CAD. The argument by most papers as it emerges in the systematic review by Kaiser et al. (2021) is that undergoing invasive procedures without getting education on the need to consume foods with low fat content does not alleviate one from experiencing harsher effects. | 10 | The findings show considerable relationship between taking plant-based foods and preventing and reversing CAD. Kaiser et al. (2021) conclude by stating that the review offers the most comprehensive evaluation of the impact of a vegan diet on CAD, and adds to the broadening body of evidence on health effects of vegan dietary plans. |
Article Three
| Author, Year, Title, and Source | Design and General Quality | Sample Size and Participants | Interventions | Outcomes | Level of Evidence | Findings (BRIEF) |
| Massera, D., Zaman, T., Farren, G., & Ostfeld, R. (2015). A whole-food plant-based diet reversed angina without medications or procedures. Case Reports in Cardiology, 6, 1-3. doi:10.1155/2015/978906 | The approach Massera et al. (2015) use a case study approach to present their evidence on the effectiveness of plant-based foods in preventing and reversing CAD as opposed to invasive procedures. The study centers on a man who presented to the clinic with chest pain and conducted a positive stress test. He declined both invasive procedures and drug therapy and chose to follow a plant-based diet. Assessment of study quality The researchers try to be as precise as possible to prevent any blunders that could cause miscommunication. Selection bias: The study only focuses on a single case, thereby limiting the possible findings. Detection bias: No case of detection bias. Attrition: No participant quits during the study. | The case is about a 60-year-old man. | The man exercised for nine months but declined drug therapy and invasive procedures. Instead, with practitioner guidance, he opted for a food-based diet, which comprised chiefly of nuts, legumes, fruits, whole grains, and vegetables. He described his earlier diet as comprising of low-fat dairy, fish and chicken although he agreed that he consumed vegetables, nuts, and fruits. | Plant-based foods helped the patient to reverse angina associated with CAD without invasive or medical therapy. Consequently, Massera et al. (2015) suggest that this form of lifestyle intervention be among the initial recommendations for adults with CAD. Nonetheless, the researchers feel that more randomized-controlled trials are required to further investigate and validate the intervention method. | 10 | A plant-based diet enhanced plasma lipids thus making it possible to experience reduced plaque buildup. His clinical improvement became more apparent and during the last clinical visit, a couple of years after first appearance, the patient was able to jog up to four miles without much challenge (Massera et al., 2015). Furthermore, the findings indicate that those with CAD and live with other conditions such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and obesity have a better chance to improve their health by sticking to a plant-based diet (Massera et al., 2015). The case underpins the findings and emphasizes that even in the contemporary Western society such achievements can be attained without pharmacological intervention including invasive procedures. The findings support epidemiologic researches conducted earlier which showed the lack of CAD in plant-based indigenous groups residing in places such as China, New Guinea, Mexico and South Africa (Massera et al., 2015). |
Article Four
| Author, Year, Title, and Source | Design and General Quality | Sample Size and Participants | Interventions | Outcomes | Level of Evidence | Findings (BRIEF) |
| Shah, B., Ganguzza, L., Slater, J., Newman, J., Allen, N., Fisher, E., & Larigakis, J. (2017). The effect of a vegan versus AHA DiEt in coronary artery disease (EVADE CAD) trial: Study design and rationale. Communications, 8, 90-98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conctc.2017.09.003 | The research is a randomized, blinded end-point study. The chief goal of the research is to assess the impact of administering a vegan diet on inflammation that runs for eight weeks. Assessment of study quality Shah et al. (2017) take time to complete the research (2014-2017) with the sole purpose of presenting reliable findings. Moreover, the researchers adhere to a strict eligibility criteria to ensure that all participants meet the needed qualifications and are not likely to distort the research findings. For example, a key requirement is that participants must have undergone both invasive procedures and adhered to a plant-based diet (Shah et al., 2017). Selection bias: The study only includes participants who have experienced advanced incidences of CAD and excludes those who are experiencing initial signs. Detection bias: No case of detection bias was witnessed. Attrition: All participants held to the study to final step. | The study includes 100 patients with CAD as described by greater than or equal to 50% diameter narrowing in a coronary artery greater than or equal to 2 millimeters on invasive x-ray (Shah et al., 2017). All participants are randomized to eight weeks for either an AHA-recommended or vegan diet. | All participants undergo medical therapy for a duration of five months while the intervener monitors the level of improvement (Shah et al., 2017). The study also identifies those who adhere to a plant-based diet and finds how their health compares to those who have only undergone invasive procedures. | Outcome was measured in terms of the improvement participants recorded over a particular period. Moreover, the researchers formed an appropriate tool to assess adherence to animal protein suggestions for every diet (Shah et al., 2017). They assess adherence each week while relying on information gathered during the 24 hours dietary plan. Overall, Shah et al. (2017) recorded significant improvement among those who adhered to a plant-based diet in addition to invasive procedures. | 11 | Whereas CAD patients record some improvement by undergoing invasive procedures, some lose money and time and suffer physical harm and mental disturbance (Shah et al., 2017). However, those who follow a plant-based diet record better improvement over a short period. The researchers argue that the findings will be of scientific significance in dealing with the effects of CAD as well as preventing the disease. |
Article Five
| Author, Year, Title, and Source | Design and General Quality | Sample Size and Participants | Interventions | Outcomes | Level of Evidence | Findings (BRIEF) |
| Wright, N., Smith, W., Duncan, B., & McHugh, P. (2017). The BROAD study: A randomised controlled trial using a whole food plant-based diet in the community for obesity, ischaemic heart disease or diabetes. Nutrition & Diabetes, 7(256), https://www.nature.com/articles/nutd20173 | Assessment of study quality The study was performed between mid-2014 to early 2015. The BROAD research was a two-phased research that compared and contrasted standard medical care fused with a diet program (intervention) and medical care(control). Selection bias: The study engaged participants from New Zealand while focusing on those whose heart disease is as a result of factors caused by socioeconomic deprivation and comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes and obesity. Detection bias: No detection bias was recorded. Attrition: Some participants pulled off from the study before its completion. | Of 56 participants randomized (intervention n=33, control n=32,) about 75% completed the exercise to six months (Wright et al., 2017). On the other hand, 23 (70.1%) intervention participants were monitored up to twelve months (Wright et al., 2017). | All participants got normal care. All intervention participants were invited to meetings created to champion awareness. The meetings happened twice per week for twelve weeks and were followed by a whole plant-based diet with vitamin B supplement (Wright et al., 2017). | The outcome was assessed with the level of improvement overtime. The outcomes matched earlier predictions that recommending appropriate foods presents an opportunity to prevent and reverse not only CAD but other heart diseases and ailments such as type 2 diabetes and obesity (Wright et al., 2017). | 10 | The findings affirm that providing plant-based foods make it easier to prevent and mitigate CAD as opposed to invasive procedures that are costly and time-consuming (Wright et al., 2017). Of the participants who follow a definite food plan, they record fewer adverse effects of CAD compared to those who do not seek alternative treatment other than pharmacological intervention (Wright et al., 2017). |
Conclusion
Evidence by various scholars suggest that plant-based foods present a better chance to mitigate CAD. An analysis of five scholarly research findings reveals that invasive procedures are applicable in some instances to address CAD complications but the procedure has certain limitations. Invasive procedures cause physical and mental harm to patients and may cause death in case of any blunder. Plant-based foods, on the other hand, are low in fat, cholesterol, salt, and sugar that could cause plaque buildup in the coronary artery. The research findings and evidence impact on CAD interveners and patients who learn that it is possible to prevent and reverse CAD using less costly and healthier alternatives.
References
Esselstyn, C. (2017). A plant-based diet and coronary artery disease: A mandate for effective therapy. Journal pf Geriatric Cardiology, 14(5), 317-320. doi: 10.11909/j.issn.1671-5411.2017.05.004
Kaiser, J., Daalen, K., Thayyil, A., Cocco, M., Caputo, D., & Oliver-Williams, C. (2021). A systematic review of the association between vegan diets and risk of cardiovascular disease. The Journal of Nutrition, 151(6), 1539-1552. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/nxab037
Massera, D., Zaman, T., Farren, G., & Ostfeld, R. (2015). A whole-food plant-based diet reversed angina without medications or procedures. Case Reports in Cardiology, 6, 1-3. doi:10.1155/2015/978906
Shah, B., Ganguzza, L., Slater, J., Newman, J., Allen, N., Fisher, E., & Larigakis, J. (2017). The effect of a vegan versus AHA DiEt in coronary artery disease (EVADE CAD) trial: Study design and rationale. Communications, 8, 90-98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conctc.2017.09.003
Wright, N., Smith, W., Duncan, B., & McHugh, P. (2017). The BROAD study: A randomised controlled trial using a whole food plant-based diet in the community for obesity, ischaemic heart disease or diabetes. Nutrition & Diabetes, 7(256), https://www.nature.com/articles/nutd20173