Taking omega-3 supplements had the most dramatic protective effect, but eating fatty fish every week also helps. Interestingly, eating more than one portion of fatty fish every week didn’t seem to lower the risk any further.

Researchers made the discovery after tracking the health of 39,367 men aged between 45 and 79 for six years. During the study period, 597 men without a previous history of heart problems or diabetes suffered heart failure, and 34 died.

Those who ate fatty fish such as mackerel, herring and salmon once a week were 12 per cent less likely to suffer heart failure compared with those who never ate fatty fish.

But the risk was lowered even more dramatically among men who supplemented every day with omega-3 fish oil capsules. Their risk fell by 33 per cent.

(Source: European Heart Journal, 2009; April 22, 2009. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehp111).