HEALTHY DIET CONSUMPTION AS A DETERMINANT OF ISCHEMIC HEART DISEASES AMONG PATIENTS ATTENDING HEALTHCARE FACILITIES IN THE SOUTH OF IRAQ

Background: Eating more fruits and vegetables was associated with a heart benefit; every additional serving above two per day was equal to a 4% decrease in the rate of heart disease deaths. The United States (US), Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) currently recommends a flexible approach to fruits and vegetables consumption based on age, sex, and activity level.

Objectives: To study the prevalence of healthy diet consumption among patients with ischemic heart disease and the role of healthy diet as a risk factor in developing ischemic heart disease (IHD).

Methodology: This matched case–control study was conducted in Maysan province. Maysan is a small city in the South east of Iraq. Target population was known cases of patients with IHD attending 10 primary healthcare centers (PHCCs) to receive their free medications. Their ages ranged from 35 to 65 years. As for controle group selection, it was based on selection attendees with acute complaints to the same clinics and seeking help.; All were free from IHD. The total number for each group was 200. The questionnaire was modified from several studies. The data were collected by the researcher through direct interview with patients as well as from their accompanying persons. relatives or their accompanying persons descriptive and analytical statistical analysis was applied and SPSS 21 was used. Ethical principles were all applied.

Results: There was a statistically significant difference in weekly fruits consumption in between groups, (p<0.001), 31.7% of those consumed fruit 6-7 days /week had IHD compared to 69.3% had not. It had been significantly found that subjects eating vegetables more than 6-7 days weekly were less likely to have IHD, (p<0.001); 10.7% in patients group compared to 89.3% in control group. Consumption of less than 3 serving of grain per day was significantly associated with IHD, Odd ratio= 2.7, p<0.001.

Conclusion: Low fruits and vegetables consumption is predictors of IHD. Low grain meal were highly associated with IHD. There is a need to establish a nationwide dietary awareness program to take a lead managing food consumption life style at general population level and special high risky groups.