The Atkins diet may raise the risk of fatal heart disease, according to a new study.

Analysis of more than 2,440 men found that those with a high protein intake faced a 33 per cent increased risk of developing heart failure, where the organ is unable to pump sufficient blood and oxygen around the body.

The Atkins diet is the best known of a range of popular commercial regimens claiming to help people lose weight by embracing low-carbohydrate, high-protein eating.

But the scientists behind the new study, published in the journal Circulation, said dieters are wrong to assume an abundance of protein is healthy.

In fact the results of the study showed that the only proteins not associated with heart failure were those derived from fish and eggs.

Those who ate the most protein from animal sources had a 43 per cent higher risk of heart failure compare to those in the study who ate the least.