Many coronary events could be prevented with adoption of a healthy lifestyle (eating a heart-healthy diet, exercising regularly, managing weight, and not using tobacco) and adherence to lipid and hypertension drug therapy.
Lifestyle modification remains the backbone of CVD prevention and treatment. Adhering to a heart-healthy diet, regular exercising, avoidance of tobacco products, and maintenance of a healthy weight are known lifestyle factors that, along with genetics, determine CVD risk.
Common features of the Mediterranean Diet are greater number of servings of fruits and vegetables (mostly fresh) with an emphasis on root vegetables and greens, whole grains, fatty fish (rich in omega-3 fatty acids), lower amounts of red meat and with an emphasis on lean meats, lower fat dairy products, abundant nuts and legumes, and use of olive oil, canola oil, nut oil, or margarine blended with rapeseed oil or flaxseed oil.
With increasing age, higher mortality rates from CardioVascular Diseases are seen in both genders. This can be prevented to a greater extend by having a heart friendly diet.
