Researchers studied 1,000 older adults with high blood pressure to see if a special eating plan could help protect their heart arteries. Half the group received detailed dietary education and support using a proven teaching method, while the other half followed a standard low-salt, low-fat diet. After three months, the group with the special education showed better results—their arteries were healthier and had less buildup of harmful plaque. This suggests that combining good nutrition advice with proper motivation and support might be an effective way to slow down heart artery damage in older people.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a special eating plan combined with education and motivation could help slow down the buildup of plaque in heart arteries in older adults with high blood pressure.
  • Who participated: 1,000 older adults (average age not specified) who all had high blood pressure. They were split into two groups: 520 people received special dietary education and support, while 480 people followed a standard low-salt, low-fat diet.
  • Key finding: The group receiving special dietary education had noticeably healthier arteries after three months. Their artery thickness was 1.05 mm compared to 1.20 mm in the standard diet group, and they had less plaque buildup (1.80 versus 1.97 on a plaque score). These differences were statistically significant, meaning they’re unlikely to be due to chance.
  • What it means for you: If you’re an older adult with high blood pressure, working with a healthcare provider on a personalized eating plan combined with education and motivation may help protect your heart arteries better than following a basic diet alone. However, this is one study, so talk to your doctor before making major dietary changes.

The Research Details

This was a retrospective cohort study, which means researchers looked back at records of patients who had already received different types of care. They enrolled 1,000 older adults with high blood pressure who visited the hospital between June 2022 and June 2023. The patients were divided into two groups: one group (520 people) received a special dietary program based on the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills Model, which is a teaching method that combines education, motivation, and practical skills training. The other group (480 people) followed a standard low-salt, low-fat diet without the special education program.

To make the comparison fair, researchers used a statistical technique called propensity score matching. This means they carefully selected patients from each group who were similar in age, health status, and other important factors at the start of the study. This helps ensure that any differences in results were due to the diet program, not because the groups were different to begin with.

The study lasted three months. During this time, the special education group received comprehensive dietary counseling and ongoing support, while the standard diet group did not. Researchers measured the thickness of the carotid arteries (the main blood vessels in the neck) using ultrasound and also looked for plaque buildup.

This research approach is important because it tests a real-world intervention that doctors could actually use in their practices. Rather than just telling patients to eat better, this study tested whether combining good nutrition advice with motivation and skill-building would work better. The three-month timeframe is practical for seeing if changes happen relatively quickly. Using ultrasound to measure artery health is a reliable, non-invasive way to see if the diet actually made a physical difference in the body.

Strengths of this study include the large sample size (1,000 patients), the use of propensity score matching to make groups comparable, and the use of objective measurements (ultrasound imaging) rather than just patient reports. The study was published in Scientific Reports, a reputable peer-reviewed journal. However, this was a retrospective study looking back at existing data rather than a randomized controlled trial where patients are randomly assigned to groups, which is considered the gold standard. The relatively short follow-up period (three months) means we don’t know if benefits last longer. The study doesn’t clearly explain the average age of participants or other demographic details, which limits our understanding of who these results apply to best.

What the Results Show

The main finding was that the group receiving special dietary education had significantly healthier carotid arteries after three months. The thickness of the artery wall (called CIMT) was 1.05 millimeters in the education group compared to 1.20 millimeters in the standard diet group. To put this in perspective, even small reductions in artery thickness are considered beneficial for heart health.

The education group also had less plaque buildup in their arteries. Plaque is a sticky substance that builds up inside arteries and can restrict blood flow. The plaque score (a measure of how much buildup is present) was 1.80 in the education group versus 1.97 in the standard diet group. Both of these differences were statistically significant, meaning there’s less than a 0.1% chance these results happened by random chance.

When researchers looked at what predicted these improvements, they found that sticking to the special dietary pattern was the strongest predictor of better artery health. The statistical analysis showed that following the IMB dietary pattern made it about 7.8 times more likely that a patient would have improved artery measurements.

The study also found improvements in how much salt and fat people were eating and in their blood pressure readings, though the paper doesn’t provide specific numbers for these changes.

Interestingly, while the group receiving special education showed better physical improvements in their arteries, the study found no statistically significant differences between groups in motivation for healthy behaviors or overall cardiovascular health metrics. This suggests that the physical benefits (artery improvement) happened somewhat independently of changes in motivation or other health measures. This finding is a bit surprising and suggests that the diet itself may have been the main driver of improvement, rather than increased motivation or other behavioral changes.

This research builds on existing knowledge that diet plays an important role in heart health, especially for people with high blood pressure. Previous studies have shown that low-salt and low-fat diets can help with blood pressure control. What’s new here is the finding that combining a good diet with structured education and motivation (the IMB model) appears to work better than just recommending a diet without support. The IMB model has been used successfully in other health areas, so applying it to dietary changes in older adults with high blood pressure is a logical extension of previous work.

Several limitations should be considered. First, this was a retrospective study looking back at existing data, not a randomized controlled trial where patients are randomly assigned to groups. This means there could be unmeasured differences between groups that affected the results. Second, the study only lasted three months, so we don’t know if the benefits continue longer or if people can maintain these changes over time. Third, the paper doesn’t clearly describe the age range, gender distribution, or other characteristics of the participants, making it harder to know if these results apply to all older adults. Fourth, the study was conducted in a specific hospital setting, so results might differ in other locations or healthcare systems. Finally, while the study measured artery thickness and plaque, it didn’t measure actual heart attacks or strokes, which are the outcomes that ultimately matter most to patients.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, older adults with high blood pressure may benefit from working with a healthcare provider or dietitian on a personalized eating plan that includes education, motivation, and practical skill-building—rather than just receiving general dietary advice. The evidence suggests this approach may help slow down artery damage. However, confidence in this recommendation is moderate because this is one study with a three-month timeframe. Anyone considering dietary changes should discuss them with their doctor first, especially if they’re taking medications or have other health conditions.

This research is most relevant to older adults (the study focused on elderly patients) who have high blood pressure and want to protect their heart health. It may also be useful for healthcare providers and dietitians looking for effective ways to help patients improve their diet and heart health. People without high blood pressure or younger individuals might still benefit from these dietary principles, but this study specifically tested them in older adults with hypertension. Anyone with existing heart disease, kidney disease, or other serious health conditions should consult their doctor before making dietary changes.

This study showed improvements in artery health after just three months, which is relatively quick. However, this doesn’t mean you’ll feel different in three months—artery changes happen at the cellular level and aren’t something you can feel. Most people would need to stick with dietary changes for several months to a year to see meaningful improvements in blood pressure and overall heart health. The real benefit comes from maintaining these changes long-term, as heart disease develops over years and decades.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily sodium intake (aim for less than 2,300 mg per day) and fat intake (aim for less than 30% of daily calories from fat). Use the app to log meals and receive real-time feedback on whether you’re meeting these targets. Take weekly photos or notes on how you’re feeling to monitor overall progress.
  • Set up a daily reminder to review your meal plan for the next day. Use the app to receive motivational messages about the benefits of heart-healthy eating. Create a personal goal (such as ‘reduce salt by 20% this month’) and track progress weekly. Share your goals with a family member or friend for accountability.
  • Check in weekly with your sodium and fat intake numbers. Every month, review your average daily intake and adjust your goal if needed. Every three months, schedule a check-in with your healthcare provider to discuss progress and potentially measure blood pressure or other health markers. Use the app to track any changes in how you feel, energy levels, or blood pressure readings if you monitor them at home.

This research suggests that a special dietary education program may help protect heart arteries in older adults with high blood pressure, but it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with your doctor or a registered dietitian before making significant dietary changes, especially if you take medications, have existing heart disease, kidney disease, or other health conditions. This study lasted only three months, so long-term benefits are unknown. Individual results may vary based on genetics, overall health, and ability to maintain dietary changes. If you experience chest pain, shortness of breath, or other warning signs of heart problems, seek immediate medical attention.