80% of 45-year-olds risk heart failure

Four out of every five people over the age of 45 are risking an early heart attack or stroke-induced death, due to their cholesterol-rich diets.

The Irish Heart Foundation has made the claim as part of its “Fats of Life” campaign to encourage adults with high cholesterol to cut back before it is too late.

The foundation warned that two thirds of all adults are eating more fat than their body needs. The caution comes despite the fact that most people can correctly identify foods high in saturated fats and cholesterol.