Kaplan–Meier curves for depicting the probability and time to occurrence of combined (fatal or non-fatal) CVD events according to the Mediterranean diet and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet scores at baseline in the ATTICA study population (n 2020). Individuals with higher baseline Mediterranean diet quartile scores were significantly less likely to develop 10-year CVD events ((a) Log-rank test P < 0·0001; , quartile 1 (scores <25·0); , quartile 2 (scores 25·0–26·9); , quartile 3 (scores 27·0–27·9); , quartile 4 (scores 28·0–55·0)). This observed association was not sustained when evaluated according to baseline DASH diet quartile scores ((b) Log-rank test P = 0·788; , quartile 1 (scores <24·0); , quartile 2 (scores 24·0–26·9); , quartile 3 (scores 27·0–30·9); , quartile 4 (scores 31·0–45·0))