Left Ventricular Diastolic Abnormalities in Vegetarians as Compared with Non-vegetarians.

Vegetarians have less hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and obesity, hence possibly lower risk of congestive heart failure. We studied associations between vegetarian diets and echocardiographic markers of stage B heart failure. In a cross-sectional study, dietary pattern was ascertained by a validated food frequency questionnaire. Echocardiograms were interpreted using standardized criteria.Subjects were free-living subjects in Southern California who were older Adventist Health Study-2 cohort members. After exclusions, 133 subjects aged >60 years were enrolled. Their mean age was 72.7±8.7 years, 48.1% were female, 33% were African American, and 71% were vegetarian. Non-vegetarians had higher body weight (80.3±15.17 kg versus 71.3±16.2, p<0.005), body surface area (1.92±0.24 m versus 1.81±0.22 m, p=0.01), and prevalence of hypertension (59.3% versus 35.3%, p<0.04). Adjusting for age, gender, race, and physical activity, vegetarians had greater echocardiographic mitral annular e' velocity, (a measure of left ventricular relaxation) 7.44 vs 6.48 (non-vegetarian) cm/sec (P=0.011); and a yet greater contrast when vegans (7.66 cm/sec, P=0.011) were the group of interest. The ratio mid- to late- diastolic mitral flow velocity (E/A), was also higher in vegans compared to non-vegetarians (1.02 and 0.84 respectively, P=0.008). Mediation analyses suggested these associations may be partly related to higher blood pressures and body mass indices in the non-vegetarians. We conclude that vegetarians, especially vegans, appear to have better left ventricular relaxation and fewer diastolic abnormalities than others. As dietary exposure is modifiable, one may speculate, pending further investigation, about the potential for reduction of stage B heart failure and later mortality.