Healthy diet reduces 2nd heart attack risk

Heart patients who ate a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and fish significantly reduced their chance of a second heart attack, researchers in Canada say. Lead author Mahshid Dehghan, a nutritionist at McMaster University's Population Health Research Institute, said the five-year study of almost 32,000 patients -- average age 66 -- in 40 countries discovered those who ate a heart-healthy diet had a: 35 percent reduction in risk for cardiovascular death. 14 percent reduction in risk for new heart attacks. 28 percent reduction in risk for congestive heart failure. 19 percent reduction in risk for stroke. "At times, patients don't think they need to follow a healthy diet since their medications have already lowered their blood pressure and cholesterol -- that is wrong," Dehghan said in a statement. "Dietary modification has benefits in addition to those seen with aspirin, angiotensin modulators, lipid-lowering agents and beta blockers." Participants with cardiovascular disease were asked how often they consumed milk, vegetables, fruits, grains, fish, nuts, meat and poultry over the past 12 months. A healthy diet was indicated by a high intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and nuts as well as a high intake of fish compared to meat, poultry and eggs. The study, published in the American Heart Association Rapid Access Journal, found a heart-healthy diet offered a "consistent benefit" over and above the benefits of taking medications to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.