Dietary Behavior and Predicted 10-Year Risk for a First Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Event Using the Pooled Cohort Risk Equations Among US Adults

Purpose: The pooled cohort equations were developed in 2013 by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force to predict an individual's 10-year risk of an atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) event. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate how predicted 10-year ASCVD event risk varies as a function of daily dietary behavior. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003 to 2006. Participants: A total of 2362 adults aged 40 to 79 years. Measures: The ASCVD was assessed via the pooled cohort equations, with the Healthy Eating Index calculated from self-reported dietary behavior. Analysis: Multivariable linear and logistic regression. Results: Adults in the United States consuming a healthy diet (vs those not consuming a healthy diet) had an 88% increased odds of being at low risk for a future ASCVD event within the next 10 years (odds ratio [OR] = 1.88; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.35-2.68; P < .001). Similarly, those eating a healthy diet had a 44% reduced odds of being at high risk for a future ASCVD event within the next 10 years (OR = 0.56; 95% CI: 0.34-0.93; P = .02). Conclusion: Among adults who were free of cardiovascular disease, those with a healthy diet had reduced odds of being at high risk for a 10-year ASCVD event.