In 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration began requiring that food labels notify consumers how much trans fat the product contains per serving. Manufacturers use trans fats to help increase the shelf life of their products, as well as enhance the taste. Trans fats can contribute to an increased risk of heart disease, obesity and clogged arteries. Finding out more about the relationship between trans fat and heart attack may help you change your diet for the better.
What Are Trans Fats?
Trans fats are made by adding hydrogen to liquid oils to create a more solid fat. They are also referred to as hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils. Small amounts of trans fats are present in animal products, but the majority of the trans fat in the average diet comes from packaged convenience foods.
Heart Attack
A heart attack can be a frightening occurrence that can damage your health and even lead to death. A heart attack occurs when a blood clot blocks the blood flow to your heart, which can cause damage or destruction to the part of your heart deprived of oxygen. Symptoms of a heart attack include pressure in the chest area, as well as pain in the chest, arm, shoulder, back and jaw. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, sweating, fainting, nausea and vomiting. Women may also experience abdominal pain, heartburn, clammy skin, lightheadedness and fatigue. If you experience these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention to give yourself the best chance of a full recovery.
How Trans Fat Contributes to Heart Attack Risk
Trans fats are damaging to many aspects of your health, but pose a particular danger to your heart. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that trans fats are more dangerous than saturated fat because they raise your low-density lipoprotein, LDL, or "bad" cholesterol level while decreasing your high-density lipoprotein, HDL, or "good" cholesterol level. Trans fat also clogs your arteries because it sticks easily to arterial walls. This contributes to a higher risk for a heart attack.
Foods with Trans Fats
Being aware of the foods that contain trans fat will help you eliminate this potentially damaging fat from your diet and may also reduce your risk of a heart attack. The most common foods that contain trans fat include fried foods, fast food, packaged baked goods, frosting, crackers, solid margarine and microwave popcorn. The nutrition label may say there is no trans fat in your food if it contains less than 0.5 g per serving. Reading ingredient labels is the best way to learn which foods contain trans fat. Look for hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils on the label and avoid foods that contain these ingredients.
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