Effects of a Vegetarian Diet on Recurrent Myocardial Infarction Rates

Abstract

Each year, approximately 790,000 people in the United States will suffer from a myocardial infarction (MI), and 210,000 of those cases will not be for the first time (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017). The World Health Organization defines a myocardial infarction as “myocardial cell necrosis due to significant and sustained ischaemia” (Mendis et al., 2010). A major risk factor for MI is consuming a diet high in saturated fat, and trans fat which are all commonly found in processed foods and animal fats (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017). The purpose of this Evidence Based Practice brief is to compare rates of MI in patients with a history of MI that consume a vegetarian diet versus those with a history of MI that do not consume a vegetarian diet. These findings will be used to educate patients on non-pharmaceutical ways to reduce their risk of a recurrent myocardial infarction from occurring. The information obtained from this review will be used in the planning and intervention phases of the nursing process.