Mixed

Adherence to a high-quality diet (characterized by high intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and fish relative to meat) significantly reduces the risk of recurrent cardiovascular disease events (CV death, MI, stroke, or CHF) in high-risk patients already receiving standard secondary prevention drug therapies.

If you have heart disease or diabetes, your medications are essential, but they are not the whole story. Eating a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, and fish (and lower in red/processed meats and deep-fried foods) provides a significant additional layer of protection against heart attacks and strokes. This benefit holds true even if you are already taking standard heart medications. Focus on the quality of your food as a complementary strategy to your drug regimen.