A Mediterranean-style diet is one of four factors helping to greatly reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death in women, as reported by Reuters on June 5, 2011. The other factors reducing risk were maintainence of a healthy weight, regular exercise, and not smoking.
The study involved women only, so we don’t know if the research, reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association, applies to men.
This study confirms many earlier ones linking the Mediterranean diet with longevity and reduced rates of heart disease.
Advanced Mediterranean Diet 