Can changing fat intake help with cardiovascular disease?

This study aimed to investigate the effect of dietary fats on cardiovascular disease.  

This study concluded that lowering the intake of saturated fats and replacing them with unsaturated fats lowered the incidence of cardiovascular disease. 

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a term used to encompass a broad range of heart conditions. Diseases in the category of CVD include heart attack, heart failure, coronary artery disease and irregular heartbeat. CVD is a leading global cause of death.

Treatments given to patients to help with or reduce the risk of CVD. These treatments can include a combination of lifestyle changes, medications and surgery. Dietary changes are a common preventive method. Saturated fats should be limited in the diet to prevent CVD. Unsaturated fats are useful to reduce ‘bad’ cholesterol which can lead to CVD.

It was not known what the effect of changing dietary fats would have on CVD. 

This study used results from previous studies about dietary fats and CVD. The American Heart Association aimed to give advice on dietary fats and CVD based on these results.

CVD was reduced by 30% when the dietary intake of saturated fat was lowered and replaced with polyunsaturated vegetable oil.

Decreasing saturated fat intake and increasing polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat intake led to lower rates of CVD and other major causes of death and all-cause mortality.

Replacing saturated fats with mostly refined carbohydrates and sugars did not lead to lower rates of CVD and did not reduce CVD.

Replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats led to lower LDL-cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol) which causes CVD.

This study concluded that lowering intake of saturated fat and replacing it with unsaturated fats can lower the incidence of CVD. The change from saturated to unsaturated fats should occur along with a diet plan as recommended by a physician. 

Consult your physician about dietary changes as a preventative measure.