- 25 September 2025
Prevention of cardiovascular disease with nutrition & lifestyle
HOSTED BY DOCTORS FOR NUTRITION
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death in Australia, responsible for approximately 157 deaths per day and underlies 24% of all deaths in 2022. Nearly one in six Australians (over 4.5 million people, or about 18% of the population) live with CVD, and hospitalisations for CVD occur roughly every minute. CVD burden disproportionately affects people in lower socioeconomic groups, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and those living in regional and remote areas. The economic cost is substantial, with healthcare and lost productivity costs expected to exceed $140 billion by 2029.
Extensive evidence demonstrates that up to 80% of CVD is preventable and potentially reversible through dietary and lifestyle interventions, with whole food, plant-based diets being particularly effective in reducing cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Despite this, Australian national strategies on CVD and nutrition lack clear, actionable guidance on prevention and reversal through nutrition, highlighting a critical gap in healthcare delivery.
This webinar explored the evidence and provides healthcare professionals with vital information on how an eating pattern focused on whole plant foods and other lifestyle interventions can reduce their patients’ risk of developing cardiovascular disease and improve the health of those who already have CVD.
Following the recorded presentation is a question and answer section that was answered live by Dr Mackay and Nina Trinquet.
Learning objectives:
By the end of this activity, attendees will be able to:
- Describe two ways in which dietary and lifestyle choices contribute to the key pathophysiological mechanisms underlying cardiovascular disease risk and progression.
- Identify at least three evidence-based lifestyle interventions that can prevent or improve cardiovascular disease outcomes.
- Recall specific evidence-based resources to support patients in adopting whole food plant-based dietary habits to reduce their cardiovascular disease risk or improve their cardiovascular disease.
Speakers:
Dr Malcom Mackay
A member of the DFN Advisory Council, Malcolm is a General Practitioner with expertise in plant-based nutrition and lifestyle medicine for the prevention, treatment and reversal of chronic disease. Malcolm’s personal and professional interest in plant-based nutrition began in medical school 35 years ago. He is a Board Certified Lifestyle Medicine Physician and has a Graduate Diploma in Human Nutrition. Malcolm is a regular attendee of the International Plant-Based Nutrition Healthcare Conferences in the USA and has engaged with many of the leaders of this field. Dr Mackay practises in Fitzroy, Melbourne and provides telehealth consultations to patients in other regions of Australia. Malcolm and his partner, Jenny, provide nutrition and lifestyle education through their nutrition website, Facebook page, one day seminars and 6-day immersion retreats in Victoria.
Nina Trinquet, APD
Nina is a member of the DFN Advisory Council, an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) and PhD candidate at Monash University, where she is researching the effects of dietary patterns, specifically dietary fibre, on endothelial function (an early indicator of cardiovascular disease). Plant-based since 2017, Nina runs a private practice, Cor Dietitian, specialising in the prevention and treatment of chronic disease, particularly cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. She also provides nutrition support within the youth justice system, aiming to improve health outcomes for young people in contact with the justice system.
CPD hours:
This activity is approved for:
- 2.5 CPD hours (Educational Activities) with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)
- 2.5 CME hours with the International Board of Lifestyle Medicine (IBLM) toward the Lifestyle Medicine Maintenance of Certification (MOC).
CPD hours will be awarded upon viewing the webinar (live or on demand), reviewing two brief supporting papers, and either completing a short quiz (for on-demand viewers) or submitting brief responses to preparatory questions prior to the live session (for live attendees).
Access:
Given the digital nature and immediate accessibility of our on-demand webinars, all associated fees are non-refundable. Paid members will be able to access the webinar recordings for free. Please see our refund policy here.
