Influence of diet on cardiovascular health

Kardiovaskularne bolesti su značajni globalni javnozdravstveni problem. Vodeći su uzrok smrti i invaliditeta u svijetu, više od 17,5 milijuna ljudi svake godine umre od kardiovaskularnih bolesti. U najčešće kardiovaskularne bolesti spadaju bolesti srca i krvožilnog sustava, mozga i moždanog krvožilnog sustava te okluzivne bolesti perifernih arterija. Najčešći uzročnik tih bolesti je ateroskeroza. Jedan od čimbenika rizika za nastanak KVB je i hipertenzija čija je pojavnost česta. Većina kardiovaskularnih bolesti može spriječiti izbjegavanjem čimbenika rizika poput nepravilne prehrane, pušenja i nedovoljne tjelesne aktivnosti. Prehrana na različite načine može utjecati na razvoj kardiovaskularnih bolesti. Razvoju i pogoršanju bolesti može pridonijeti nepravilan odabir namirnica, prevelik unos soli, ugljikohidrata, kolesterola i masti te prevelika količina hrane (kalorijski unos). Za održavanje kardiovaskularnog zdravlja preporučaju se velike količine voća i povrća, raznovrsne cjelovite žitarice, riba, mahunarke, orašasti plodovi te unos hrane s niskim udjelom zasićenih masnoća. Redovita, umjerena i pravilna prehrana jedan je od najvažnijih čimbenika na koji možemo utjecati kako bismo znatno smanjili rizik od nastanka bolesti srca i krvnih žila. Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je dobiti uvid u prehrambene navike opće populacije, njihovu informiranost i stav o kardiovaskularnim bolestima i utjecaju pravilne prehrane na kardiovaskularno zdravlje i riziku za nastanak bolesti te ispitati postoje li razlike u znanju i stavu o utjecaju prehrane na kardiovaskularno zdravlje i riziku za nastanak bolesti ovisne o nekim karakteristikama ispitanika (dobi i spolu).Cardiovascular diseases are significant global public health problem. They are the leading cause of death and disability in the world. More than 17.5 million people die each year from cardiovascular disease. The most common cardiovascular diseases include diseases of the cardiovascular system, cerebrovascular system, and occlusive diseases of peripheral arteries. The most common cause of these diseases is atherosclerosis. One of the risk factors for CVD is hypertension, which is common. Good fact is that most cardiovascular diseases can be prevented by avoiding risk factors such as improper diet, smoking and insufficient physical activity. Diet can have affect on development of cardiovascular disease in different ways. Improper food selection, excessive intake of salt, carbohydrates, cholesterol and fats, and excessive amounts of food, or caloric intake contribute to the development and worsening of the disease. To maintain cardiovascular health, large amounts of fruits and vegetables, a variety of whole grains, fish, legumes, nuts, and a low-saturated fat diet are recommended. Regular, moderate and proper diet is one of the most important factors we can influence to significantly reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to gain insight into eating habits of the general population, their information and attitude about cardiovascular diseases and the impact of proper nutrition on cardiovascular health and risk of disease