fatty fish to prevent heart attack
fatty fish to prevent heart attack StephanieAlbert - Pixabay

Nobody is prepared for a heart attack. However, there are some things that one can do in order to reduce their risk.

Due to the prevalence of heart attack all over the world, without regard to age or sex, many people have made a conscious effort to live a healthy lifestyle. They also made sure that their diets would be considered as heart-friendly diets.

Those who have been trying to live a healthy lifestyle may have already indulged in great food options that are considered as heart-friendly. Some of these foods would include leafy green vegetables, whole grains, berries, avocadoes, walnuts, beans, and even dark chocolate. Fish are among the best food options for those who want to prevent a heart attack.

There is one type of fish, however, which can do wonders in reducing your risk of a heart attack. A recent study that was presented at the 41st Annual Conference of the American Heart Association revealed that older individuals could significantly lower their risk of dying from a heart attack by eating at the very least one serving of “fatty fish” each week.

What are Fatty Fish?

Fatty fish refers to fish that are oily. These fish contain a chockfull of Omega-3 fatty acids. Examples of fatty fish that you could opt for include salmon, sardines, tuna, trout, and mackerel.

According to the study, those who are at around 72 years of age on the average will benefit from a reduced risk of dying from a heart attack by 44% by eating fatty fish once a week. On the other hand, eating fried fish, mostly lean fish (e.g., cod and catfish), did not offer the same benefits.

Mediterranean-style Diet

A study that was presented at the 64th Annual Scientific Session of the American College of Cardiology in San Diego revealed that the Mediterranean-style diet is the most beneficial for the heart. This includes not just fatty fish but also wholegrain cereals, fruits, vegetables, a modest amount of meat, and also low-fat dairy.

As per the study, the Mediterranean-style diet can potentially cut the risk of developing heart disease by half. Adults who opted for this kind of diet reduced their risk by 47% over a period of 10 years. The researchers also followed the participants, and they found out that the Mediterranean-style diet is beneficial to all regardless of age, race, or sex.