How does diet affect heart disease?

Poor diet causes fatty deposits on the inside walls of your arteries. Over time this causes your arteries to become narrower, obstructing the flow of blood. The arteries that feed your heart muscle become less effective, and this will eventually cause you to have a heart attack.

The fatty deposits are mainly cholesterol. Everybody has cholesterol in their blood but people with heart disease have higher levels than normal.

The fat that you eat determines the level of cholesterol in your blood. Saturated fats are worse than polyunsaturated fats but reducing all fats is best.

A low fat diet will also help reduce your weight, which will in turn help to reduce the amount of work your heart has to do.

How do you choose the right food?

When shopping - look at the labels to see what ingredients are in the food. Ask yourself if there might be a healthier alternative to your normal buy. Buy foods that are high in fibre (particularly soluble fibre e.g. peas, beans, lentils).

Reduce fat intake where possible. Avoid saturated (animal) fats and hydrogenated fats. Use polyunsaturated and/or mono-unsaturated fats where needed and use minimal amounts. Avoid sugar. Sometimes manufacturers try to trick you by calling them fancy names. A general rule is that if it ends in ose it's probably a sugar.

Avoid salt and salty foods.

Don't do it alone!

If you have a problem, the rest of your family probably has a problem too!

So why not become a healthier family and all eat a healthy diet?

For further and more detailed

advice try

Family Heart Association