The Dietary Approaches To Stop Hypertension Diet Effects On Atrial Fibrillation Symptoms

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between adherence to the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet and symptom severity in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients, as assessed by the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) score.Materials and Methods: Patients diagnosed with AF who presented to the Cardiology Outpatient Clinic between January 2022 and 2023 were included in the study. A total of 160 patients were categorized into four groups based on EHRA scores. DASH diet adherence was assessed using the DASH dietary scale. EHRA scores were determined based on symptoms such as palpitations, fatigue, dizziness, dyspnea, chest pain, and anxiety. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 19.0.Results: Patients with higher adherence to the DASH diet had significantly lower EHRA scores (p<0.001). A strong negative correlation between DASH and EHRA scores was observed (Pearson r=-0.71, Spearman r=-0.61; p<0.001). Although caloric intake was slightly higher in patients with severe AF symptoms, macronutrient composition did not significantly differ between EHRA groups.Conclusions: Higher adherence to the DASH diet is associated with lower AF symptom severity. These findings suggest that dietary modifications may play a crucial role in AF symptom management. Future prospective studies are needed to further investigate the effects of the DASH diet on AF.