Dr Philip Ades said that mild caloric restriction improves insulin resistance and improves a host of other cardiac risk factors, such as blood pressure, cholesterol level, clotting measures and measures of inflammation.

He advises to eat ‘real food’, rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish and healthy oils in your diet and omit trans fats and minimize animal and dairy fats, processed flour and sugar.

According to EatingWell magazine, Mediterranean cuisine including heart-healthy olive oil, protein-rich legumes, fish and whole grains with moderate amounts of wine and red meat would also help lower heart risk.

Ades urges to maintain a normal weight and make daily exercise a part of the diet.

Exercise is like a pill you need to take every day. This pill controls weight, lowers your blood pressure, prevents diabetes and heart disease, raises your (good) HDL cholesterol, improves your fitness and makes an individual feel happy.