Question:
Is there any evidence that a whole food plant-based lifestyle can mitigate atrial fibrillation for those > age 60? If not, has there been any research on the CHA₂DS₂-VASc Score for Atrial Fibrillation Stroke Risk and its relationship to WFPB lifestyle?
Kim Williams Sr, MD Response:
In the absence of prospective randomized trials, or even large-scale observational trials, we only have inference from publications indicating lowering of each of the atrial fibrillation (AF) risk factors:
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-Congestive heart failure incidence is reduced 41% by a plant-based diet.
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-In 39 clinical trials of plant-based nutrition, blood pressure was mildly reduced in patients with systemic Hypertension by a mean of 7/5 mm Hg.
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-Aging, as measured cytologically by telomere length, can be slowed by plant-based nutrition.
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-Type 2 Diabetes mellitus can be prevented and treated with plant-based nutrition.
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-Stroke can be modestly reduced by 10% by a high quality plant-based diet.
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-Atherosclerotic Vascular disease burden can be reversed by plant-based diet
In addition to these factors for AF related stroke, AF is related to inflammation, obesity, chronic kidney disease, sleep apnea, lack of exercise and use of alcohol, all related to lifestyle factors, particularly plant-based diet. Given this background, this is a fertile area for prospective randomized trials.
The Q&A is sourced from The International Journal of Disease Reversal and Prevention (IJDRP). The IJDRP is a free open-access, peer-reviewed medical journal dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of credibility and integrity in scientific publishing. The journal operates independently, free from outside industry influence.
References
Lara KM, Levitan EB, Gutierrez OM, Shikany JM, Safford MM, Judd SE, Rosenson RS. Dietary Patterns and Incident Heart Failure in U.S. Adults Without Known Coronary Disease. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2019 Apr 30;73(16):2036–2045.
Yokoyama Y, Nishimura K, Barnard ND, Takegami M, Watanabe M, Sekikawa A, Okamura T, Miyamoto Y. Vegetarian diets and blood pressure: a meta-analysis. JAMA Intern Med. 2014 Apr;174(4):577–587.
Crous-Bou M, Molinuevo JL, Sala-Vila A. Plant-Rich Dietary Patterns, Plant Foods and Nutrients, and Telomere Length. Adv Nutr. 2019 Nov 1;10(Suppl_4):S296-S303.
McMacken M, Shah S. A plant-based diet for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes. J Geriatr Cardiol. 2017;14(5):342–354.
Yokoyama Y, Barnard ND, Levin SM, Watanabe M. Vegetarian diets and glycemic control in diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Cardiovasc Diagn Ther. 2014 Oct;4(5): 373–382.
Baden MY, Shan Z, Wang F, Li Y, Manson JE, Rimm EB, Willett WC, Hu FB, Rexrode KM. Quality of Plant-Based Diet and Risk of Total, Ischemic, and Hemorrhagic Stroke. Neurology. 2021 Apr 13;96(15):e1940–e1953.
Esselstyn CB. A plant-based diet and coronary artery disease: a mandate for effective therapy. J Geriatr Cardiol. 2017;14(5):317–320.
Ornish D, Scherwitz LW, Billings JH, et al. Intensive Lifestyle Changes for Reversal of Coronary Heart Disease. JAMA. 1998;280(23):2001–2007.
Storz MA, Helle P. Atrial fibrillation risk factor management with a plant-based diet: A review. J Arrhythm. 2019;35(6):781–788.
Nalliah CJ, Sanders P, Kalman JM. The Impact of Diet and Lifestyle on Atrial Fibrillation. Curr Cardiol Rep. 2018 Oct 12;20(12):137.
