Mixed
Adherence to a vegan diet does not significantly alter the risk of primary cardiovascular disease events (including coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, or stroke) compared to non-vegan diets, although it may lower intermediate markers like carotid artery intima-media thickness.
Switching to a vegan diet is unlikely to significantly change your risk of having a heart attack or stroke compared to a non-vegan diet, based on current evidence. While vegans may have better intermediate markers like artery thickness, the hard outcomes (heart attacks, strokes) are similar. To maximize heart health on a vegan diet, ensure you are getting adequate B12, Omega-3s (EPA/DHA), and other nutrients, as deficiencies may offset potential benefits.
None of the studies reported a significantly increased or decreased risk of any cardiovascular outcome for individuals following a vegan diet.
Why this rating
The GRADE assessment rated the evidence as 'low to very low strength/quality' due to heterogeneity, risk of bias, and imprecision.
Source
A Systematic Review of the Association Between Vegan Diets and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
Jeenan Kaiser et al. · Journal of Nutrition · 2021
DOI 10.1093/jn/nxab037
More from this paper
- Vegan diets are associated with lower carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT), an intermediate marker of atherosclerosis, compared to Western diets.Moderate
- Vegan diets may be associated with a higher risk of ischemic stroke compared to non-vegan diets, although the finding was not statistically significant.Limited
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