A higher intake of refined grain may be associated with an increased risk of premature coronary artery disease (CAD), while eating whole grains may be associated with reduced risk, according to research that will be presented during ACC Middle East 2022, in partnership with the 13th Emirates Cardiac Society Congress.

The study recruited 2,099 individuals with premature CAD from hospitals with catheterization labs in different cities and ethnicities throughout Iran who underwent coronary angiography (women aged ≤70 and men ≤60). In total, 1,168 patients with normal coronary arteries were included in the control group, while 1,369 patients with CAD with obstruction equal or above 75% in at least a single coronary artery or ≥50% in the left main coronary artery made up the case group.

Participants were given a food frequency questionnaire for dietary assessments to evaluate dietary behaviors and evaluate the association between whole grain and refined grain intake and the risk of premature CAD in individuals without a prior diagnoses of cardiovascular disease. After adjusting for confounders, a higher intake of refined grains was associated with an increased risk of premature CAD, while whole grain intake was inversely related to reduced risk of premature CAD.

"As more studies demonstrate an increase in refined grains consumption globally, as well as the impact on overall health, it is important that we find ways to encourage and educate people on the benefits of whole grain consumption," said Mohammad Amin Khajavi Gaskarei, MD, the study's lead author. "Tactics to consider include teaching improved dietary choices in schools and other public places in simple language the general population can understand, as well as on television programs and by continuing to do high level research that is presented at medical conferences and published in medical journals. Clinicians must also be having these conversations with each other and their patients."

ACC Middle East 2022, taking place in Dubai from Oct. 7-9, will bring together cardiovascular care teams in the Middle East region and global cardiovascular experts to examine emerging trends, evidence-based strategies and contemporary best practices for the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease. Khaled M. Ziada, MD, FACC, and Wael A. Almahmeed, MD, FACC, will serve as vice chairs for the conference. Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, MACC, will present the Opening Plenary Session, "Role of Imagenomics in Enhancing Cardiovascular Health Throughout the Lifespan." Attendees will have access to the interactive learning lab, featuring a hands-on echo simulation, challenging clinical case discussions, Heart Songs 5, ECG Drill & Practice and more.

Other research being presented at the conference include:

• Ivabradine effects on COVID-19 induced postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome
• Do Middle Eastern Women with Atrial Fibrillation Have Worse Baseline Clinical Profiles and One-Year Cardiovascular [Events] Compared with Men? The Jordan Atrial Fibrillation Study
• Impact of the Morning vs. Evening Dosing of Antihypertensive Drugs on 24 Hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure
• The effect of lavender aromatherapy on anxiety reduction in cardiovascular patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Learn more about ACC Middle East 2022.

Clinical Topics: Arrhythmias and Clinical EP, Cardiovascular Care Team, COVID-19 Hub, Invasive Cardiovascular Angiography and Intervention, Noninvasive Imaging, Prevention, Atherosclerotic Disease (CAD/PAD), Atrial Fibrillation/Supraventricular Arrhythmias, Interventions and Coronary Artery Disease, Interventions and Imaging, Angiography, Nuclear Imaging, Diet

Keywords: ACC International, Whole Grains, Antihypertensive Agents, Ivabradine, Blood Pressure, Cardiovascular Diseases, Coronary Artery Disease, Aromatherapy, Atrial Fibrillation, Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory, COVID-19, Control Groups, Coronary Angiography, Iran, Jordan, Language, Nutrition Assessment, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, Diet, Surveys and Questionnaires, Catheterization, Simulation Training, Patient Care Team, Biomedical Technology, Hospitals, Anxiety, Electrocardiography

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