People who skip breakfast are more than twice as likely to suffer heart attacks or strokes, scientists have claimed.
Experts found adults who missed their morning meal were more than twice as likely to have blocked arteries.
Missing breakfast has been linked to arteriosclerosis, the condition which restricts flow of blood and oxygen to vital organs.
It is the biggest single causes of heart attacks and strokes in the UK.
Scientists followed three groups over a six year period where one in five ate a breakfast over 400 calories.
The majority started the day with a small breakfast and around three per cent skipped the meal altogether.
Research showed the volunteers who skipped breakfast were more likely to be overweight, and have a poor diet.
They were also found to be more likely to smoke, and have a higher alcohol intake.
Author Dr Valentin Fuster, editor of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, said: "People who regularly skip breakfast likely have an overall unhealthy lifestyle.
"This study provides evidence that this is one bad habit people can proactively change to reduce their risk for heart disease."
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