Heart attack, medically known as myocardial infarction, occurs because of a blockage of blood supply to your heart. This can cause permanent damage to your heart muscles. Heart attack can cause necrosis, or cellular death, of the tissues that comprise the heart muscles. Smoking, stress, age and heredity can increase your risk of heart attack. Frequent consumption of fast food also affects several heart attack risk factors.
Refined Sugars
Heavy consumption of refined sugars that are made from processed sugar cane and beets, may increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to Phyllis Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing." Diabetes significantly raises your risk of heart disease, including stroke and heart attack. Refined sugars are found in fast food offerings such as pies, doughnuts, cakes, breakfast pastries and ice cream.
Refined Carbohydrates
Refined carbohydrates are commonly found in fast food hamburger sandwich buns, as well as dessert items, breadsticks and pizza crusts. These are white-flour products made by processing and bleaching wheat flour. Your body converts refined carbohydrates into simple sugars that increase your risk of developing diabetes. Because your body stores these sugars as fats, refined carbohydrates also contribute to obesity. Excess weight and obesity are risk factors for heart attack, according to the American Heart Association.
Saturated Fats
Fast food items such as hamburgers, chicken wings, bacon, sausage and chicken legs are loaded with saturated fats. These fats may elevate triglyceride and cholesterol levels, causing lipid blockages in your arteries and blood vessels, according to Balch. Circulatory blockages can starve your heart of blood and oxygen, causing damage and necrosis associated with heart attack.
Trans Fats
Like saturated fats, trans fats increase your risk of fatty blockages in your circulatory system. They can also lead to arteriosclerosis, or hardening of your arteries. Both conditions elevate your risk for heart attack. Shortenings, margarines and oils commonly used in fast food preparation contain trans fats. Deep-fried fish, onion rings, doughnuts, french fries and breaded chicken strips typically contain trans fats, as well.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Heart Attack
- American Heart Association: Understand Your Risk of Heart Attack
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C.; 2010
