The DASH diet is associated with a lower risk of heart failure: a cohort study

Aims Trials demonstrate that following the DASH diet lowers blood pressure, which may prevent the development of heart failure (HF). We investigated the association between long-term adherence to the DASH diet and food substitutions within the DASH diet on the risk of HF. Methods and results Men and women aged 45-83 years without previous HF, ischaemic heart disease or cancer at baseline in 1998 from the Cohort of Swedish Men (n = 41 118) and the Swedish Mammography Cohort (n = 35 004) were studied. The DASH diet emphasizes intake of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and legumes, and low-fat dairy and deemphasizes red and processed meat, sugar-sweetened beverages, and sodium. DASH diet scores were calculated based on diet assessed by food frequency questionnaires in late 1997 and 2009. Incidence of HF was ascertained using the Swedish Patient Register. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). During the median 22 years of follow-up (1998-2019), 12 164 participants developed HF. Those with the greatest adherence to the DASH diet had a lower risk of HF compared to those with the lowest adherence (HR 0.85, 95% CI: 0.80, 0.91 for baseline diet and HR 0.83, 95% CI: 0.78, 0.89 for long-term diet, comparing quintiles). Replacing 1 serving/day of red and processed meat with emphasized DASH diet foods was associated with an 8-12% lower risk of HF. Conclusion Long-term adherence to the DASH diet and relevant food substitutions within the DASH diet were associated with a lower risk of HF.