In search of causes of ischaemic heart disease.

Sugar intake, dietary fat consumption, especially saturated fats, physical activity at work, serum levels of cholesterol, and smoking have been compared in 44 patients with acute myocardial infarction, 44 healthy controls, and 88 patients suffering from other diseases. All were men between the ages of 35 and 58 years. They were matchedfor age, social class, and work or trade. No differences werefound between the three groups in these parameters. Significant differences were present in the chain length offed fats between patients with myocardial infarction on the one hand and the 'healthy' and 'patient' controls on the other. The conclusions of this study are consistent with the hypothesis that long-chainfatty acids cause myocardial infarction and the short-chain fatty acids are preventive because of their effect on the dynamic equilibrium between blood coagulation and clot lysis.