Introduction
Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Nonobstructive CAD, characterized by the presence of atherosclerotic plaques without significant luminal narrowing, still poses considerable cardiovascular risk. Lifestyle modification, particularly dietary intervention, is a cornerstone in managing CAD to prevent disease progression and adverse outcomes.
The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet is recognized for its cardiovascular benefits, emphasizing fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low sodium intake. The randomised Dietary Intervention to Stop Coronary Atherosclerosis using Computed Tomography (DISCO-CT) trial investigated the effects of a 12-month DASH intervention led by dietitians in patients with nonobstructive CAD. Initial results from this trial demonstrated improvements in cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors, along with reductions in platelet chemokine levels, particularly CXCL4, which is implicated in atherogenesis. However, the durability of these benefits remained uncertain.
