Mediterranean Diet Score, Dietary Patterns, and Risk of Sudden Cardiac Death in the REGARDS Study

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Epidemiology
• Nutritional Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a significant cause of mortality in the U.S.
• Limited research exists on diet's role in SCD risk.
• The Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study provides a large cohort for investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between the Mediterranean diet score and SCD risk.
• To investigate the relationship between adherence to specific dietary patterns and SCD risk.
• To analyze these associations within the REGARDS study cohort.

Main Methods:

• Dietary intake assessed via food frequency questionnaire at baseline.
• Mediterranean diet score calculated based on specific food group consumption.
• Dietary patterns identified using factor analysis; adherence scored.
• Cox proportional hazards regression used to analyze SCD event risk.
• Analysis stratified by history of coronary heart disease.

Main Results:

• A total of 21,069 participants with a mean follow-up of 9.8 years.
• Mediterranean diet score showed a trend toward inverse association with SCD risk (HR 0.74).
• Southern dietary pattern showed a trend toward positive association with SCD risk (HR 1.46).

Conclusions:

• Trends suggest the Mediterranean diet may be protective against SCD.
• Adherence to the Southern dietary pattern may be associated with increased SCD risk.
• Findings highlight the potential impact of dietary choices on sudden cardiac death.