Exclusive Olive Oil Consumption Is Associated with Lower Likelihood of Developing Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction in Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients: The Hellenic Heart Failure Study

The aim of the present work was to evaluate the association between exclusive olive oil consumption and the development of left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) in patients with a previous acute coronary syndrome (ACS).From 2006 to 2007, 651 consecutive ACS patients were enrolled. In 288 males (64 +/- 13 years) and 75 females (71 +/- 11 years), LVSD (ejection fraction <40%) developed after the cardiac event, and 221 males (62 +/- 11 years) and 69 females (66 +/- 11 years) were without LVSD (ejection fraction >50%). Detailed information regarding their clinical characteristics, anthropometric data, physical activity, smoking and dietary habits (including lipids use) were recorded.70% of the LVSD patients and 76% of the non-LVSD patients reported exclusive olive oil consumption. Multi-adjusted analysis revealed that exclusive olive oil consumption in post-ACS patients with a first cardiac episode was associated with a 65% (95% confidence interval 0.14-0.87) lower likelihood of developing LVSD after adjusting for various confounders. No significant association was observed among participants with a previous history of ACS.Exclusive, long-term olive oil consumption seems to offer significant protection against the development of LVSD in post-ACS patients.