Final answer:
Trans fats increase the risk of cardiovascular disease by raising 'bad' LDL cholesterol levels, decreasing 'good' HDL cholesterol, and promoting inflammation, leading to the development of atherosclerosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Trans-unsaturated fatty acids, commonly known as trans fats, increase the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. These fats are created by the process of hydrogenation, which chemically alters the natural cis configuration of unsaturated fatty acids to a trans configuration. Trans fats are thought to be more harmful than saturated fats because they increase low-density lipoprotein (LDL), commonly referred to as 'bad cholesterol', while simultaneously decreasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or 'good cholesterol', in the bloodstream. This imbalance contributes to the formation of arterial plaques, known as atherosclerosis, by encouraging the accumulation of cholesterol in the arterial walls. Additionally, trans fats are associated with increasing inflammation in the body, which also plays a significant role in heart disease.