Beliefs, Experiences, and Attitudes toward the Mediterranean Diet in Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery Patients

The Mediterranean Diet (MD) can be used for treatment, primary, and secondary prevention of coronary heart disease. This cross-sectional, observational study completed on cardiac patients recovering from Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) surgery provides a comprehensive picture of this population. We assessed the demographic and lifestyle characteristics of this population. Additionally, we assessed beliefs, experiences, and attitudes toward the MD. The majority (74%) of CABG patients were males, Caucasian, college educated, married, overweight, physically inactive, and formers mokers. Their average age was 67 ± 9 years. They are rather poorly informed regarding the MD, with limited experience using the MD. Their average adherence to the MD was 48%. Few believe the MD is hard to follow, but they are willing to change their diet so that it would more adhere to the principles of MD. They also believe eating more fruits and vegetables, nuts, and red wine in moderation is healthy. The results for females were similar to the one for males. The theoretical model seems to indicate that in our population of post CABG patients, physically active patients, who had experience with Mediterranean lifestyle would be willing to adhere to the MD. Achieved education was a contributing factor for the interest in MD.