Foods that can increase your chances of having a heart attack
Globally, one in ten people aged 30 to 70 die prematurely from CVD, including heart disease and stroke, but the good news is that at least 80% of these premature deaths can be avoided or postponed, reports SA Heart.
SA Heart also reports that Cardiovascular disease (CVD), a general term for conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels, claims over 17 million lives a year, and by 2030 the figure is expected to rise to 23 million.
Common causes of the disease are unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, and bad habits such as smoking.
"There are many things that can contribute to heart attacks such as cooking methods (especially deep frying more than 3 times a week), lack of exercise or sedentary life style and smoking," says dietitian Sylven Masoga.
Masoga warns against foods that are high in saturated fat such as fatty meat and meat products such as sausages, full fat cheese, milk, cream, and yogurt can increase your chances of having a heart attack.
"Canned meats are high in sodium and saturated fatty acids and processed foods (vienna, Wors, sausage etc) tend to be high in marbled fat, and should be avoided," adds Masoga.
"Generally, dietary intake should be in moderation and a variety," he concludes.
Healthy foods that are low in saturated fats include fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, unprocessed meats, fish, and unrefined grains.
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