Cardiac Disease and Diet

Cardiac disease is the leading cause of death in most industrialized countries and is predicted to become the leading cause of death worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular diseases killed 17.5 million people in 2012, accounting for 3 in every 10 deaths. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found that in the United States, heart diseases kill more individuals than cancer or any other illness does. While genetics and other health conditions can influence whether an individual gets cardiac disease, lifestyle decisions, like eating and smoking, are thought to be major factors in determining who gets cardiac disease and who does not. Foods high in fat, especially trans fats, leave plaque buildup on arteries, putting individuals at risk for heart ...