Foods that reduce the risk of heart attack

Researchers have shown that the foods rich in potassium below reduce the risk of heart attack.

University of Alabama scientists say that foods rich in potassium can protect the body against heart disease.

This is a pioneer discovery of new therapies that help prevent fatty deposits in the arteries.

Scientists have conducted experiments on mice to find a link between potassium-rich foods - including bananas, apricots, salmon, sweet potatoes and heart disease. Each of the mice tested a potassium diet. The researchers were divided into three dietary groups with 0.3% potassium, 0.7% and 2.1% potassium in the diet.

Mice with a low potassium diet would have more fatty deposits in the arteries, known as calcification.

Meanwhile, rats with a diet rich in potassium have fewer calcifications, scientists say. The study's co-author, Paul Sanders, said: "These findings have proven potassium supplementation to prevent vascular calcification in atherosclerotic mice and negative effects on the body when consuming less potassium."

If these findings are duplicated in humans, people at risk for heart disease may be prescribed potassium supplements to reduce blood clotting.

This will help reduce blood flow throughout the body, and help supply oxygen to vital organs.

Researcher Yawing Chen said, "Calcification is a risk factor for predicting cardiovascular complications of certain diseases, such as atherosclerosis. Cardiovascular disease such as hypertension and random stroke, although molecular mechanisms are not well known."

Adults should consume 3.500mg of potassium per day.

Excessive potassium intake can cause stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea and kidney disease.

Elderly people should not eat a diet rich in potassium because their kidneys may not be as effective in reducing potassium from the blood.

There are 40,000 to 45,000 deaths from kidney disease in the UK each year.
+ Foods rich in potassium include butter, bananas, spinach, salmon and sweet potatoes.
+ Foods rich in potassium are involved in protecting the body against cardiovascular disease.
+ At present, about 200 people die from heart attacks.
+ Nearly one billion people have had heart attacks.