With swimsuit season approaching, many people may be tempted to crash diet to fit certain body image ideals, only to gain the weight back later. And a vicious cycle rolls on.

Researchers say nearly 55 percent of women in the U.S. admit to having done this so-called yo-yo dieting, but it can have negative effects on your heart health.

Researchers at Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island looked at weight-loss and weight-gain patterns, otherwise known as “weight cycling,” of more than 150,000 women over a period of 10 years. Weight cycling is defined as losing and regaining 10 or more pounds. The researchers tracked coronary heart disease deaths and sudden cardiac deaths and found that women who engaged in yo-yo dieting were almost four times more likely to die suddenly from a heart attack than women who held stable weights. They were also 66 percent more likely to die from coronary heart disease.

What seems like a positive change in health can backfire, according to heart experts. Weight gain raises blood pressure, cholesterol and body fat. Losing weight helps lower these levels, but not all the way to their normal healthy baseline. That’s not to say you shouldn’t lose weight if you need to, just do it slowly and safely.

The study also highlights the importance of heart health for women. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women over age 40, especially after menopause. To help your heart, eat a diet rich in vegetables, whole grains and fiber, limit saturated and trans fats, exercise regularly and refrain from smoking and drinking too much alcohol. Keep your heart happy and leave the yoyos for the kids.