Nutrition Studies, Optimum Cardiovascular Health, and Coronary Atherosclerosis-Ensuring A Solid Foundation for Public Policy

Coronary heart disease (CHD), the leading cause of death worldwide, is ideally managed through a combination of lifestyle change, optimum medical care, and interventional therapies, including surgery [1]. These three modalities are partners, rather than competitors, from which cardiologists and patients may chose, according to evidence, patient needs, and preferences. While genetic predisposition is important, diet, lifestyle choices, and other modifiable factors account for about 70% to 90% of CHD pathology [2-5], and are reviewed elsewhere [6-8]. This commentary reflects upon the need for better diet studies, the continuing high burden of cardiovascular risk, particularly obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D), and the concept that atherosclerosis is a systemic disease.