Vegan or Mediterranean diet – which is better for heart health?

Cardiovascular disease is responsible for more than 30% of the total number of deaths worldwide, and every year more people are being diagnosed with the condition. In 2015, more than 85 million people in Europe were living with cardiovascular diseases.

But although the total number of people who suffer with cardiovascular disease increases, the number of those who die from heart and circulatory diseases is in steady decline. This is because treatment options, quality of care and access to healthcare have improved considerably since the middle of the previous century.

Even though this is definitely a positive sign, it means that more and more people are living with cardiovascular disease – which can seriously impact quality of life and puts people at risk of sudden death.

In the UK alone, healthcare costs relating to heart and circulatory diseases are estimated at £9 billion each year – while overall, the cost to the EU economy is close to £200 billion a year. It makes sense then that cardiovascular disease prevention is considered to be the number one target for many national healthcare services around the globe.

Prevention includes encouraging people to eat a healthier diet,...