People who have suffered a heart attack significantly reduce their risk of suffering a second one if they eat a heart-healthy diet, a new study has shown.

These benefits go beyond those seen with drug therapy, the Canadian scientists noted.

"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. Dietary modification has benefits in addition to those seen with drugs such as aspirin and beta blockers," they explained.

A heart-healthy diet is high in fruit, vegetables, whole grains and fish.

The study involved over 31,000 people in 40 countries who were monitored for almost five years. Some of the participants had heart disease and their average age was 66.

It found that those who ate a heart-healthy diet had a 35% reduced risk of dying of a heart-related event and a 28% reduced risk of suffering congestive heart failure.

They also had a 19% reduced risk of suffering a stroke and a 14% reduced risk of suffering another heart attack.

The scientists found that consuming a healthier diet brought about a ‘consistent benefit' over and above the benefits seen with drugs that reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Furthermore, from a global point of view, a healthier diet was associated with a 20% lower risk of heart disease in all parts of the world.

The team from McMaster University believes this is the first study to show the protective effect of healthy eating on people with heart disease who are already taking medication to prevent a second heart attack, stroke or heart-related death.

"Physicians should advise their high-risk patients to improve their diet and eat more vegetables, fruits, grains and fish. This could substantially reduce cardiovascular recurrence beyond drug therapy alone and save lives globally," it said.

Details of these findings are published in the American Heart Association Rapid Access Journal. 

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