The Prevalence Of Hypertension And Coronary Heart Disease Among Elderly People Wıth Medıterranean Type Nutritıonal Habits,

Erol Ö., HIZ M. M., Ay M.

he International 2nd Halal and Healthy Food Congress, Int J Health Nutr , KONYA, TÜRKIYE,, Konya, Turkey, 7 - 10 November 2013, vol.4, no.3, pp.61

  • Publication Type: Conference Paper / Summary Text
  • Volume: 4
  • City: Konya
  • Country: Turkey
  • Page Numbers: pp.61
  • Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Gallipoli and the surrounding area have adopted the culture of Mediterranean diet in terms of eating habits and also life style. Due to the fact 
that olive cultivation and olive oil production has played a primary role in the life, olive oil is an important constituent of the diet. The aim of 
the present study was to evaluate the potential protective effects of Mediterranean diet against blood pressure and coronary heart disease.
A total of 111 healthy individuals (54 females and 57 males) ranging in age from 48 to 93 were enrolled to study. The evaluation was 
consisted of a medical history and confirmed by hospital admission documentation and drug utilization system. The average ages were 
70.46±9.28 for men and 74.31±8.21 for women. The percentages of hypertension, coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis were 35.1%, 
11.7%, and 1.8% respectively.
In this study, the prevalence of hypertension was found 24.56% for women and 46.29% for men and 35% for all study group. The overall 
prevalence of hypertension among Turkish adults was found 43.3% yet, in another survey conducted in 15 provinces (in the absence of 
Çanakkale) the prevalence was found 58.14%.
In a study that performed in Antalya the prevalence of coronary heart disease (n=1000 age >60) was found 11.0% (11% among females and 
11.1% among males). Furthermore, the coronary heart disease (n=750 age >65) was found 25.4% in women and 19.8% in men. In that study, 
the prevalence of coronary heart disease was present 11.11% among females and 12.28% among males.
Mediterranean cuisine and eating habits are adopted in Çanakkale, thus coronary heart disease and hypertension prevalence is similar to the 
Mediterranean regions and also under the average of Turkey. These results indicate that Mediterranean-style diet has protective effects against 
hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, thus promotion of Mediterranean diet is important for the public health.
Keywords: Mediterranean diet, Hypertension, Coronary heart disease, Çanakkale