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Apr 14
Trans fats risky for women with heart disease
Trans fats, found in many packaged foods, are deadly for women with heart disease, according to a new study.

Total intake of trans-fats is associated with coronary heart disease (CHD), and recent reports in primarily male populations suggest that blood levels of specific trans isomers may have different effects on risk, particularly risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). To examine the association between dietary intake of trans-fats and SCD, researchers analysed data on 86,762 women from the Nurses' Health Study. Coronary heart disease risk factors, including diet and lifestyle factors, were updated via questionnaires every 2 to 4 years, beginning in 1980.

Over 25 years of follow-up, a total of 317 cases of SCD occurred in the study group. It was found that females with heart disease who eat the most trans-fats (at least 2.5 percent of their daily caloric intake) were three times as likely to suffer a sudden cardiac death as compared to females who consume less than 1 percent of their calories as trans-fats.

The above findings could be attributed to the fact that trans-fats raise bad (LDL) cholesterol and lower good (HDL) cholesterol, which raises the risk of heart disease.

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