Two years later those who ate the Mediterranean diet had half the risk of heart attack and sudden cardiac death compared with those who stayed on the regular low-fat diet, even though their cholesterol declined only a modest 14%.

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"That risk can be reduced by simple lifestyle changes, such as not smoking, drinking alcohol sensibly, exercising regularly and eating a healthy, balanced diet to reduce the risk of obesity - a major contributory factor increasing the risk of diabetes and eventually cardiac disease, " he added.

BBC: Heart disease: Drive to reduce deaths in Wales