In a recent study of more than 400 North American men and women whose previous heart attack put them at risk for a second heart attack, about half were told to switch to a Mediterranean-type diet -- one rich in fish, vegetables, olive oil, and grains -- while the other half were advised to eat a more traditional Western diet but to limit their fat intake. Those following the Mediterranean diet were significantly less likely than those in the other group to have a second heart attack. But the Mediterranean diet includes a fair amount of fat from fish and olive oil
the research suggests that a diet may not have to be extremely low in fat in order to protect the heart.
The patients who consumed the Mediterranean diet enjoyed the food and continued to follow the diet after the experiment was concluded.