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High cholesterol levels are a significant risk factor for heart disease, the leading cause of death worldwide. Lowering cholesterol plays a crucial role in maintaining good health. One approach to reducing cholesterol is through dietary modifications, and avocados have been recognized as a potential food choice for this purpose. Avocados are rich in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), fiber, and plant sterols, which have cholesterol-lowering effects. Incorporating avocados into a low-fat diet can be beneficial. This study design followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines and conducted databases in Cochrane, SCOPUS, PubMed, and Web of Science up until May 2023, combining keywords related to avocados and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The study focused on randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and excluded observational studies, meta-analyses, surveys, abstracts, and reviews. Seven RCTs were included in the study, all reporting total cholesterol (TC) levels. The findings of the study showed that individuals who followed an avocado diet experienced reduced TC levels compared to those who followed a habitual diet or a low-fat diet. The avocado group exhibited lower TC levels compared to the control group in both the habitual diet and low-fat diet subgroups. When considering high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, the control group had higher HDL levels than the avocado group in the habitual diet subgroup, while the avocado group had higher HDL levels than the control group in the low-fat diet subgroup. In both the habitual diet and low-fat diet subgroups, the avocado group had lower levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) compared to the control group. The study concluded that incorporating avocados into the diet can be a beneficial dietary strategy for individuals aiming to lower their cholesterol levels and promote heart health. The avocado diet was associated with decreased LDL levels, but it did not significantly impact triglyceride (TG) levels or fasting glucose levels. Systolic blood pressure values showed minimal changes with the avocado diet.

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally. There are six cardiovascular risk factors: diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, overweight, sedentary lifestyle and smoking. Due to the low attendance of healthy people in the health system, the use of telemedicine can influence the acquisition of a heart-healthy lifestyle. OBJECTIVE: this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the effectiveness of telemedicine and e-health in reducing cardiovascular risk. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis were carried out using the PubMed, Scopus, Cinhal and WOS databases. Randomized controlled studies between 2017 and 2022 in which telemedicine was used to reduce any of the risk factors were included. The methodological quality was assessed using the "PEDro" scale. RESULTS: In total, 763 studies were obtained; after the review, 28 target articles were selected and finally grouped as follows: 13 studies on diabetes, six on hypertension, seven on obesity and two on physical activity. For all of the risk factors, a small effect of the intervention was seen. CONCLUSIONS: although the current evidence is heterogeneous regarding the statistically significant effects of telemedicine on various cardiovascular risk factors, its clinical relevance is undeniable; therefore, its use is recommended as long as the necessary infrastructure exists.

RESUMEN

Abstract Introduction The International Physical Activity Ques-tionnaire (IPAQ) and Baecke inventory are commonly used in cardiovascular rehabilitation routines. Thus, it is understood that investigations on the equivalence of outcomes between these two tools may be relevant to measure the magnitude of possible reproducibility and correlations between them. Objective To compare in cardiac patients the level of physical activity obtained through the IPAQ and Baecke inventory and correlate outcomes obtained with a 6-minute walk test. Methods In total, 65 heart disease patients included in a cardiovascular rehabilitation program (40 male and 25 female) were included, with a mean age of 65.8 ± 10.5 years. The data were obtained from the application of a standardized form, containing the proposed study objects, which were the IPAQ and Baecke inventory. In addition, data regarding anthropometric measurements (body mass, height, and body mass index - BMI), waist-to-hip ratio, blood pressure, and performance in the 6-minute walk test were measured. Results The main outcomes refer to the weak association between the instruments evaluated, which showed a strong relationship only between free time physical activity (r = 1), while in the other categories and when compared to the 6-minute walk test, the verified agreement was not significant. Conclusion The questionnaires are strongly equivalent only for free time physical activity, in the other categories and when compared to the 6-minute walk test, the agreement was not significant. Thus, based on the results, implementation in clinical practice considering the use of these tools with equivalence is not recommended.

Resumo Introdução O Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física (IPAQ) e o inventário de Baecke são comumente utilizados em rotinas de reabilitação cardiovascular. Assim, entende-se que investigações sobre a equiva-lência de desfechos entre essas duas ferramentas possam ser relevantes para mensurar a magnitude da possível reprodutibilidade e correlação entre tais métodos. Objetivo Comparar em cardiopatas o nível de atividade física obtido por meio do IPAQ e do Baecke e correlacionar desfechos obtidos com o teste de cami-nhada de 6 minutos (TC6). Métodos Foram incluídos no estudo 65 cardiopatias inseridos em um programa de reabilitação cardiovascular, sendo 40 do sexo masculino e 25 do sexo feminino, com idade média correspondente a 65,8 ± 10,5 anos. Os dados foram obtidos a partir de um formulário padronizado, contendo os objetos de estudo propostos (IPAQ e Baecke). Além disso, dados referentes a medidas antropométricas (massa corporal, estatura e índice de massa corpórea), relação de cintura quadril, pressão arterial e TC6 foram avaliados. Resultados Os principais desfechos se referem à fraca associação entre os instrumentos avaliados, que demonstraram relação forte somente entre atividade física de tempo livre (r = 1), sendo que nas demais categorias e quando comparadas ao TC6 a concordância verificada não apresentou significância estatística. Conclusão Os questionários se equivalem fortemente somente quando diz respeito à atividade física de tempo livre. Desta forma, não faz sentido a implementação de prática clínica que considere a utilização das ferramentas IPAQ e Baecke com equivalência, o que verificou-se não existir.