Increasing risk for heart attack

The globalization of the Western diet, which favors fried foods, eggs, meat, and salty snacks, has also globalized the risk of heart attack, according to a study report published in Circulation, the Journal of the American Heart Association.

The study was carried out by researchers at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada. It involved more than 16,000 participants from 52 countries across 5 continents.

Two-thirds of the participants (10,646 people) did not have any history or known incidence of heart disease (including angina), diabetes, hypertension or high cholesterol. The remaining third (5,761 people) were interviewed after they went through their first heart attack.

The study looked at their dietary patterns, categorizing the diet composition as Western, Oriental, and prudent. Oriental diets were characterized by high content of tofu and other soy products. A prudent diet was rich in fruits and vegetables. Participants went through an interview by medical personnel and answered written questions about their intake of 19 food groups, including leafy greens, dairy products, pickled foods, and desserts.

The study also took into account other risk factors such as smoking, body mass index, age, degree of physical activity, gender and geographic region in evaluating the overall risk for heart attack.

The findings included:

* Those who followed a prudent diet (high intake of fruits and vegetables) had a 30 percent lower risk of heart attack than those who ate little or none of these foods.

* People who adhered to a Western diet (high intake on salty snacks, fried food, and meat) had a 35 percent higher risk of heart attack than those who ate little or no fried foods and meat.

* The Oriental diet (high intake of tofu, soy, and other sauces) seemed to be neutral rather than protective against heart attack. It has protective elements, such as vitamins and anti-oxidants, but it also tends to have high sodium content which negates the benefits.

Previous research on heart disease focused mainly on developed countries in the West. Heart disease was mainly predominant in the West two decades or so ago. But it has become more pervasive in developing countries, partly because there are more people following the Western diet in more countries around the world.

The researchers noted that nearly 80 percent of heart disease now happens in low- and middle-income countries. This is due in part due to the population’s shift to the Western diet.

Safety Tips:

* Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables.

* Reduce consumption of salt (sodium).