Cardiovascular conditions are the leading cause of death in the UK and worldwide. One of the most common types of heart or coronary condition is Atherosclerosis, a fatty build-up of plaque within the walls of arteries. As the plaque build-up increases, blood vessels can become blocked, shutting down the blood supply to an area of the body, such as the heart. Clinical studies have revealed that it is not the total amount of fat in the diet that is linked to coronary ailments, but the type of fat. Saturated fats and Trans fats increase blood low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and subsequent risk for coronary artery ailment, while “healthy” fats (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated) help to improve cholesterol levels. Eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, not smoking and reducing stress all decrease your chance of developing coronary artery ailment such as atherosclerosis.
