The Effect of a Plant-based Diets on the Cardiovascular System in Geriatric Patients – Review

Abstract Cardiovascular disease is one of the most common causes of death in developed countries and its incidence increases with age. The group of cardiovascular diseases includes different disease entities. Most of them are associated with the atherosclerotic process in the blood vessels. One of the most important methods of preventing atherosclerosis and its complications is proper nutrition, rich in polyunsaturated vegetable oils and low in saturated fatty acids. Many research results confirm the positive effect of a plant-based diet on the circulatory system. A well-balanced diet based on plant-based products reduces the risk of hypertension, heart disease, prevents type 2 diabetes, lowers cholesterol and helps to reduce blood pressure. Vegetarian eating patterns can reduce cardiovascular disease mortality by 30%. In addition, the plant-based diet is the only dietary pattern that has shown cessation and reversal of atherosclerotic plaque. Today, plant-based diets are becoming more popular and are increasingly used as a means of preventing and treating cardio-metabolic diseases.