Heart Surgeon Warns That Refined Carbohydrates Can Damage the Heart Over Time
Processed meats—including ham, bacon, corned beef and sausages such as salami, chorizo and hot dogs—are frequently associated with cardiovascular disease, along with too much saturated fat and salt. But heart surgeon Dr. Philip Ovadia says those foods are not the only dietary concern for heart health.
Mortality figures published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through the National Center for Health Statistics show that heart disease was still the leading cause of death in the United States in 2024. It represented about 22.2% of all deaths across the country in 2024. Heart disease therefore remained ahead of cancer, which caused 619,876 deaths.
Genetics can establish a person’s underlying risk, while exercise supports cardiovascular function. Recent clinical findings, however, increasingly point to overall eating patterns as central to reducing the expanding burden of heart disease. Modern cardiovascular guidance has moved beyond judging isolated nutrients and now emphasizes complete dietary patterns. The Mediterranean and DASH approaches, for example, prioritize whole grains, produce, lean sources of protein and beneficial fats to address major risks including high blood pressure and dyslipidemia.
The case for dietary changes is reinforced by CDC data suggesting roughly two-thirds of adults in America have at least one cardiovascular risk factor they can modify.
Dr. Ovadia has focused particular attention on refined carbohydrates, warning that they may harm the heart quietly as time passes. He said these foods promote insulin resistance and persistent inflammation, creating damage that gradually threatens cardiovascular health.
According to the surgeon, refined carbohydrates can contribute to plaque forming inside arteries and thereby increase the likelihood of a heart attack. He described the resulting inflammation as the kind of environment that produces soft, unstable plaque—the type he says he encounters in operating-room heart attack cases every week.
Some products promoted as wholesome can still supply large amounts of refined carbohydrates. Dr. Ovadia pointed to low-fat granola, whole-wheat bread and rice cakes as examples that may be marketed as healthy despite being heavy in refined carbs.
He also recommended limiting bagels, sweetened or flavored yogurt, fruit juice, instant oatmeal, breakfast cereal, crackers and potato chips. In their place, he encouraged an eating pattern built around vegetables, quality fats and protein.
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