US News & World Report

Best Heart-Healthy Diets

Being overweight is just one factor that puts people at risk for heart disease and stroke. A heart-healthy diet is one that can help you lose weight or lower cholesterol, blood pressure, or triglycerides. According to experts who rated the diets below, the Ornish diet is the most heart-healthy.

1. Ornish Diet (4.6 out of 5.0)

Dieters are sure to do their heart a favor on the Ornish diet, particularly if they use the Ornish plan to reverse heart disease, according to experts. The balanced, sound menu promotes heart health, if—experts emphasized the if—the diet's rules are followed.

2. TLC Diet (4.5 out of 5.0)

The Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) diet helps control risk factors that can keep cardiovascular disease at bay, according to experts who reviewed the research. Specifically, following the diet should help keep cholesterol and blood pressure in check.

3. DASH Diet (4.3 out of 5.0)

Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, or DASH, was devised as a diet to help control high blood pressure, and its effects on that marker of cardiovascular health have been extensively studied. So it's no surprise that experts regarded it as a good diet for the heart.

4. Mediterranean Diet (4.0 out of 5.0)

Lots of research has validated the Mediterranean diet's ability to prevent cardiovascular disease because of its emphasis on produce, monounsaturated fats, and protein from fish, with only a small amount from red meat.

5. Vegan Diet (3.9 out of 5.0)

Veganism earned high marks for its potential to boost cardiovascular health. It emphasizes the right foods—fruits, veggies, and whole grains—while steering dieters away from salty, processed choices.

Which diets ranked 6-20? >>