A new study suggests that people who drink diet sodas daily have a heightened risk of heart attack or stroke.The study involved almost 2,600 older adults over the span of 10 years and found they were 44 percent more likely than non-drinkers to have a heart attack or stroke.There was an association as these people may tend to have unhealthy habits. It's not clear if diet soda, itself, contributes to heart attacks and strokes.The New York City adults were age 69.The lead researcher does not recommend that you change your behavior at this time such as switching to regular soda.People who drink diet sodas tend to be heavier and have higher blood pressure, diabetes and unhealthy cholesterol levels. Regular sodas are high in calories and people who switch to diet sodas or water lose about 5-6 pounds in about 6 months.Further studies are needed to confirm a connection between diet sodas and cardiovascular trouble.A new clinical trial to prove a connection would be difficult and costly. Large groups of people would have to be followed for many years and rely on them to stick with their assigned beverage.The findings do not currently prove that the sugar free sodas are actually to blame.

read more: Diet soda tied to heart attack, stroke risks?