The lifetime risk of heart failure is estimated at 20 percent (one in five) for both men and women aged 40 years, according to background information in the article. Studies have suggested that the risk of hypertension, coronary heart disease, hypercholesterolemia (high blood cholesterol) and mortality can be reduced with a diet rich in grain products.

Luc Djouss?©, M.D., M.P.H., D.Sc. and Michael Gaziano, M.D., M.P.H. of the Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) and and Harvard Medical School, Boston, analyzed the association between breakfast cereal intake and new cases of heart failure among 21,376 men (average age 53.7) participating in the Physician's Health Study I. Cereal intake was estimated by using a food frequency questionnaire and incident heart failure was assessed by annual follow-up questionnaires for an average of 19.6 years.

During follow-up, 1,018 of the participants experienced heart failure. This included 362 of 6,995 participants who did not eat any cereal, 237 of 4,987 of those who ate one serving or less per week, 230 of 5,227 of those who ate two to six servings per week and 189 of 4,167 of those who ate seven or more servings per week.

Our data demonstrate that a higher intake of whole grain breakfast cereals is associated with a lower risk of heart failure, the authors conclude. This association may be due to the beneficial effects of whole grains on heart failure risk factors such as hypertension, myocardial infarction [heart attack], diabetes mellitus and obesity. If confirmed in other studies, a higher intake of whole grains along with other preventive measures could help lower the risk of heart failure.

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The low-risk diet (high scores for the healthy dietary pattern) characterized by a high intake of vegetables, fruit, whole grains, fish and legumes, in combination with moderate alcohol consumption (5 grams of alcohol per day or less), along with the three low-risk lifestyle behaviors [not smoking, having a waist-hip ratio of less than the 75th percentile and being physically active], was associated with 92 percent decreased risk compared with findings in women without any low-risk diet and lifestyle factors, the authors write. This combination of healthy behaviors, present in 5 percent, may prevent 77 percent of myocardial infarctions in the study population.

Several components of fruits, vegetables and whole grains ”including fiber, antioxidant vitamins and minerals ”have been associated with a reduced risk for coronary heart disease, the researchers note. In addition, previous studies have found beneficial effects of small amounts of alcohol in preventing the buildup of plaque in the arteries, which could help prevent heart attacks.

Our study findings indicate that healthy dietary behaviors are present in the population, the authors conclude. These dietary behaviors together with a healthy lifestyle and body weight may prevent most myocardial infarction events.

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