Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and disability globally. Self-management of cardiovascular disease includes the consumption of nutrient-dense foods and prudent dietary patterns, such as the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) and Mediterranean Diet to decrease inflammation and stress. Over the last few decades, there has been a growing interest in food insecurity and health outcomes in the United States. While it is well established that diet plays a role in the development of cardiovascular disease, there is little known regarding the role of food insecurity and cardiovascular disease. As a result of unprecedented unemployment rates during and following the global COVID-19 pandemic, all dimensions of food insecurity have been impacted, including declines in food availability, accessibility, utilization, and stability. This paper summarizes the existing quantitative and qualitative literature exploring the social determinants of health (economics/poverty, employment, limited access to health care, and food) that affect the self-management of cardiovascular disease, including healthy nutrition, highlighting special considerations during the COVID-19 global pandemic.
Keywords: Covid-19; cardiovascular health; food desert; food insecurity; health outcomes.