Medical options
Over the counter aspirin (Bayer Children’s Aspirin®, Ecotrin Adult Low Strength®, Halfprin 81®) might be beneficial for reducing recurrent strokes and for reducing the risk of future heart attacks.
A high intake of carotenoids from dietary sources has been shown to be protective against heart disease in several population-based studies.11 12 A diet high in fruits and vegetables,13 fiber,14 and possibly fish15 appears protective against heart disease, while a high intake of saturated fat (found in meat and dairy fat) and trans fatty acids (in margarine and processed foods containing hydrogenated vegetable oils)16 may contribute to heart disease. In a preliminary study, the total number of deaths from cardiovascular disease was significantly lower among men with high fruit consumption17 than among those with low fruit consumption. A large study of male healthcare professionals found that those men eating mostly a “prudent” diet (high in fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fish, and poultry) had a 30% lower risk of heart attacks compared with men who ate the fewest foods in the “prudent” category.18 By contrast, men who ate the highest percentage of their foods from the “typical American diet” category (high in red meat, processed meat, refined grains, sweets, and desserts) had a 64% increased risk of heart attack, compared with men who ate the fewest foods in that category. The various risks in this study were derived after controlling for all other beneficial or harmful influencing factors.
A parallel study of female healthcare professionals showed a 15% reduction in cardiovascular risk for those women eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables—compared with those eating a diet low in fruits and vegetables.19
