Researchers at the University of Alberta have discovered that too much saturated fat and trans fat in our diet can not only cause a build up of fat in blood vessels, but can also accumulate in heart cells. A build up of bad fats in heart cells can lead to an excess of calcium in those cells. In normal hearts, calcium is pumped in and out of the heart with each contraction; but an accumulation of calcium can wreak havoc on the heart’s electrical system, causing arrhythmias and heart attack, or cardiac arrest. Researchers found that the more saturated fat present in heart cells at the time of a heart attack, the greater the severity of the attack, and the greater the risk of death. Another good reason to limit your intake of bad fats.

More on Dietary Fats

• Good Fats, Bad Fats, Worst Fats
• What are the Main Sources of Saturated Fat?
• How Much Do You Know About Fat?
• All About Trans Fats?
• Quiz on Trans Fats