Previous studies have confirmed that people who eat a lot of fiber have a low risk of cardiovascular disease..

Now, a new study published in the BMJ suggests that a high-fiber diet can help you live longer after a heart attack..

Approximately 1 million cases of myocardial infarction are diagnosed each year in the United States..

According to the US National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the vast majority of patients recover and lead active, fulfilling lives.. But life expectancy after suffering a heart attack depends on the lifestyle changes they make..

A research team led by Dr. ShanshanLi, from the Department of Epidemiology and Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, says this is a very important discovery that will help all patients recovering from a heart attack..

Scientists commissioned a large study to determine how increased fiber intake affects the health of these patients in the long term..

They used data from the NHS (Nurses' HealthStudy), a national survey of 121,700 female nurses, and data from the HealthProfessionalFollow-upStudy, which included 51,529 male health workers.. Participants in both studies completed questionnaires every 2 years in which they indicated the characteristics of their lifestyle and diet..

Increased fiber intake 'reduces overall risk of death by 25%'.

The team identified 2,258 women and 1,840 men who survived their first myocardial infarction (MI). During 9 years of observation, 682 women and 451 men from this list died..

All subjects were divided into five groups, depending on the rate of fiber intake after a heart attack - indicators before a heart attack were not taken into account.

The researchers found that increased fiber intake after this event could significantly extend the life of patients.. They calculated that participants in the top fiber intake quintile were 25% less likely to die within 9 years of follow-up (regardless of cause of death) compared to those in the bottom quintile..

The top quintile also had a 13% lower risk of death from cardiovascular diseases such as stroke, recurrent MI, heart failure.

Overall, the team concluded that the more fiber a patient consumes, the more likely they are to live to old age.. These results remain significant even after factors such as age, comorbidities, other foods in the diet, and lifestyle factors are added to the analysis..

The scientists then analyzed the effects of three different types of fiber – cereals, fruits and vegetables.. They found that only cereal fiber was associated with increased life expectancy after a heart attack.. Cereals and cereals for breakfast were the main source of fiber for study participants..

Since the risk of death after a single heart attack is always higher than in the general population, scientists say such patients have a strong incentive to change their lifestyle.. But most of them receive medication after a heart attack, and some rely only on pills, thinking that it is not necessary to make their own efforts..

The scientists write: "

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans of the US Departments of Agriculture, Health and Human Resources, women should consume at least 25 grams of fiber per day and men should consume at least 38 grams..

Despite this, less than 5% of Americans follow these recommendations..

People who consume a lot of fiber get many benefits. Earlier this year, Medical News Today reported that a diet rich in fiber not only protects against obesity and diabetes, but also against asthma..

Many fruits, especially raspberries, apples, and pears, are excellent sources of fiber, according to the Mayo Clinic.. Other good options are cereals, nuts, artichokes, broccoli, green peas, and most vegetables..

medbe. en.