Plant-based diets and prevalent pre-heart failure in the Echocardiographic Study of Latinos (Echo-SOL)
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Our intent was to evaluate associations of plant-based dietary index (PDI) patterns and component food groups with prevalent pre-heart failure among US Hispanic/Latino adults. METHODS: Among 1,714 Hispanic/Latino adults aged 45-74 years participating in the Echocardiographic Study of Latinos, three continuous PDIs (overall [oPDI], healthy [hPDI], and unhealthy [uPDI]) were derived from two 24-hour dietary recalls. Prevalent pre-HF was based on the presence of abnormal left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction, global longitudinal strain, diastolic function, LV mass index, or relative wall thickness. Survey-weighted multivariable logistic models estimated cross-sectional associations using odds ratios (ORs) overall and by Hispanic/Latino heritage. RESULTS: None of the PDIs was associated with prevalent pre-heart failure overall. In food-group models adjusted for the oPDI, vegetables were associated with lower odds (OR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.58, 0.97) and animal fats with higher odds (OR: 2.41; 95% CI: 1.14, 5.09). Heritage modified the association only for the uPDI (P-for-interaction = 0.017); among participants of Puerto Rican heritage, each 5-point increase was associated with higher odds (OR: 2.63; 95% CI: 1.48, 4.68). CONCLUSIONS: PDIs were not associated with prevalent pre-heart failure overall among Hispanic/Latino adults, although the unhealthy index was positively associated among participants of Puerto Rican heritage. Vegetable and animal-fat associations were inverse and positive, respectively. Because the design was cross-sectional, these associations are descriptive and require confirmation in longitudinal studies.
Source: The American Journal of Medicine
Authors: David Flomenbaum, Luis E. Maldonado, Ayana K. April-Sanders, Un Jung Lee, Robert C. Kaplan, Yasmin Mossavar-Rahmani, Robert J. Ostfeld, Daniela Sotres-Alvarez, Josiemer Mattei, Wenyan Ma, Priscilla Duran Luciano, Amanda C. McClain, Martha L. Daviglus, Barry E. Hurwitz, Mayank M. Kansal, Linda Van Horn, Bonnie E. Shook-Sa, Carlos J. Rodriguez
Institutions: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Northwell Health, Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Montefiore Health System, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Harvard University, San Diego State University, University of Illinois Chicago, University of Miami, Northwestern University, Northwestern Medicine
Language: English
Topic: Nutritional Studies and Diet
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,770
Funders: Office of Dietary Supplements, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities
OpenAlex ID: W7213539004