Being physically active is a major step toward good heart health. It's one of your most effective tools for strengthening the heart muscle, keeping your weight under control and warding off the artery damage from high cholesterol, high blood sugar and high blood pressure that can lead to heart attack or stroke.
These foods are high in potassium and should be avoided: salt substitutes that contain potassium chloride such as Morton® Lite Salt™, potatoes, tomatoes, bananas, cantaloupe, cooked spinach, bran cereals and sports drinks.
The findings suggest that eating up to one egg per day may help lower the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Eggs are a rich source of dietary cholesterol, but they also contain a variety of essential nutrients.
Heart health
Bananas contain fiber, potassium, folate, and antioxidants, such as vitamin C. All of these support heart health. A 2017 review found that people who follow a high fiber diet have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease than those on a low fiber diet.
A weak heart muscle (cardiomyopathy ) can be caused by conditions like diabetes, coronary heart disease, and high blood pressure. When the heart is weak, it's often unable to either fill up properly (diastolic heart failure) or pump efficiently (systolic heart failure).
Although heart failure is a serious condition that progressively gets worse over time, certain cases can be reversed with treatment. Even when the heart muscle is impaired, there are a number of treatments that can relieve symptoms and stop or slow the gradual worsening of the condition.
Heart Failure: Quick Facts
About half of people who develop heart failure die within 5 years of diagnosis. 3. Most people with end-stage heart failure have a life expectancy of less than 1 year.
It is possible to lead a normal life, even if you have Heart Failure. Understanding and taking control of Heart Failure is the key to success. Your doctor and healthcare providers will provide guidelines and a treatment plan. It is your responsibility to follow the treatment plan and manage your Heart Failure.
Water is the drink of choice for heart health. If you're thirsty, drink water. When the weather is warm or we're exercising, our bodies need more water than usual. Unflavoured milk, tea and coffee can be enjoyed in moderation.
For most people, heart failure is a long-term condition that can't be cured. But treatment can help keep the symptoms under control, possibly for many years. The main treatments are: healthy lifestyle changes.
Foods to eat
Lean meats such as 95% lean ground beef or pork tenderloin or skinless chicken or turkey. Eggs. Nuts, seeds, and soy products (tofu) Legumes such as kidney beans, lentils, chickpeas, black-eyed peas, and lima beans.
A cup of blueberries or eight medium-sized strawberries three times a week can help widen arteries, prevent plaque buildup and aid with your heart's blood flow. Fatty fish such as salmon, anchovies, sea bass and albacore tuna each contain omega-3 fatty acids, which can help lower cholesterol and reduce inflammation.
Eating two servings of avocado each week (one avocado) can cut the risk of developing coronary heart disease by 21 per cent, according to research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. A healthy diet can reduce your risk of developing coronary heart disease and stroke.
Improved Heart Health
One of the main fats in peanut butter is oleic acid. When substituted for other fats in your diet, oleic acid is shown to help maintain good cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure. Managing these levels in your body can lower the risk of heart disease. Peanut butter also contains omega-6.
Extensive studies have associated oats and oatmeal with plenty of heart-healthy benefits, such as lowering cholesterol (both total and "bad" LDL cholesterol) and helping with weight control. Oatmeal has a host of vitamins and minerals.
Potatoes. As long as you don't deep fry them or load them with unhealthy toppings, a couple of servings of potatoes a week is great for your heart health. Potatoes are high in potassium, which helps lower blood pressure. They are also loaded with fiber, which has been shown to help lower the risk of heart disease.
According to the American College of Cardiology, drinking two to three cups of coffee per day is associated with maintaining a healthy heart.
Limit your intake of salty foods and drinks. Limit caffeine drinks such as coffee, tea, or soda. Try caffeine-free drinks instead such as water, milk or juice. Limit salty drinks, such as tomato or vegetable juice.
Whole-grain breads are good sources of nutrients that help maintain a healthy immune system. They also provide dietary fiber that can help improve cholesterol levels and lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, obesity and Type 2 diabetes.