Mediterranean Diet Helps Heart-Disease Sufferers

Eating according to the Mediterranean diet helped improve heart function in those who have acute coronary syndrome, according to a new study from First Cardiology Clinic School of Medicine University of Athens Greece (Am J Clin Nutr. 2010 May 19). In the study, those who adhered to the diet rich in fruit, vegetables, fish, nuts, low-fat dairy, whole grains and olive oil experienced a preservation of left ventricular systolic function and a better long-term prognosis of their disease.

Researchers sought to evaluate the relation between the Mediterranean diet, the development of left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) at hospitalization, and the 2-year prognosis of patients who have had an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). During 2006 to 2009, 1,000 consecutive patients with ACS were enrolled; of these patients, 459 had LVSD at hospitalization (367 men with a mean age of 64 ± 14 years, and 92 women aged 71 ± 12 y), whereas 541 had preserved left ventricular systolic function (421 men aged 62 ± 12 years, and 120 women aged 67 ± 12 years). Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was assessed by the validated Mediterranean Diet Score (MedDietScore; theoretical range: 0–55).

Researchers found those who stuck more closely to the Mediterranean diets had a 31-percent lower risk of suffering another heart attack or experiencing chest pain during the first month after they were discharged from the hospital, according to a Reuters article. Additionally, the Mediterranean-diet eaters were half as likely to have another heart-related event within a year, and about 40-percent less likely to experience repeat heart problems within two years.

According to Reuters, for every additional point on the 55-point Mediterranean Diet Score, a person's risk of having another heart-related event over the next two years fell by 12 percent. When researchers looked at the separate aspects of the Mediterranean diet, they found people who ate vegetables and salad or nuts daily or weekly were at 20-percent lower risk of repeat heart problems within two years of their initial hospitalization compared to people who ate these foods monthly or less often.

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* Reuters: Mediterranean diet helps existing heart disease, too