A healthy diet can prevent many types of heart disease, and if you have been diagnosed with heart disease, paying attention to what you eat can help you manage your condition. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of people in the United States, according to the National Library of Medicine. Depending on the heart disease you have, your physician may recommend you change what you eat.
Effects of Cholesterol on the Arteries
One common type of coronary disease is arthrosclerosis -- hardening of the artery -- which is usually caused by buildup of cholesterol in the bloodstream. This accumulation can harden into plaque which narrows the inside of arteries, restricting the amount of blood flow to the heart and raising blood pressure within the pulmonary artery.
Benefits of a Low Cholesterol Diet
A low cholesterol diet is essential for any heart disease patient. More than 102 million people in the United States have high cholesterol levels, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and 35 million of these Americans have cholesterol levels high enough to put them at significant risk of developing heart disease. Eating a healthy diet low in cholesterol can reduce the cholesterol levels of a heart patient, thereby lessening his risk for heart disease, heart attack or stroke.
Considerations for CHF
Patients with congestive heart failure, or CHF, should eat a low sodium diet, according to Penn State College of Medicine. CHF describes a condition in which the heart muscles are no longer strong enough to pump blood efficiently throughout the body. The blood cannot do its job of removing excess fluids and toxins from the cells furthest from the heart, such as those in the feet and ankles, resulting in swelling or edema. Excess sodium causes even more inflammation, making it even more difficult for the heart to blood pump up from the feet back to the lungs.
Signficance of Weight Loss Diets and Heart Disease
Weight loss is essential for heart patients. Cut your portion sizes, especially your portions of foods that are low in nutrition and high in fat and calories. You should start losing weight immediately -- but don't try to lose weight too quickly. MayoClinic.org suggests losing 1 to 2 pounds a week for safe weight loss that is easier to sustain than fad diets.
Effects of a Balanced Diet
You should eat a healthy diet as part of treatment for your heart disease, and your family will benefit from eating those same nutritious foods. Replace saturated fats, such as those found in many types of meat, eggs and dairy products, with low fat versions: Eat chicken instead of beef, use egg substitutes, and enjoy skim milk and low fat cheeses. Eat fish once or twice a week. Some types of fish such as salmon, along with flaxseed and flaxseed oil, contain omega-3 fatty acids, which increase levels of "good cholesterol," or HDL, in your blood. Eat plenty of fiber-rich fruits and vegetables. Soluble fiber, such as that found in oatmeal and bananas, also increases your HDL. Insoluble fiber, found in fresh vegetables, whole grains and nuts, adds volume to your food so you feel more satisfied after eating. You will be less tempted to snack on foods that are not heart-healthy.
