Heart-Healthy Diet Plus Medication Significantly Reduces Risk Of Second Heart Attack

People who have experienced one stroke or heart attack can significantly reduce the risk of a second episode by making smart choices about what they eat, according to a Canadian study. Drug treatments such as aspirin reduce the risk of a second stroke or heart attack. But this study showed that eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and fish plays a major role in reducing the risk as well. Participants in the 32,000-person study who had cardiovascular disease were asked about their lifestyle (i.e., alcohol use, smoking, exercise, etc.) as well as their diet over the past year. Data showed a heart-healthy diet offered a "consistent benefit" over and above the benefits of taking medications.