People with heart trouble are encouraged to follow certain dietary guidelines to ease the symptoms associated with heart trouble and prevent them from progressing. Many heart disease risk factors are controllable, including overweight, obesity, poor diet, high blood pressure, high triglycerides, high blood sugar, excessive alcohol and smoking, according to RD411.com. Diets for heart problems are all quite similar, but some focus on specific types of heart issues.
Low-Cholesterol Diet
A low-cholesterol diet is recommended for people with high cholesterol levels. According to the American Heart Association, a desirable level of total cholesterol is less than 200 mg/dL. The body makes all of the cholesterol it needs, so limiting intake to less than 300 mg per day is recommended. Foods to eat on a low cholesterol diet include foods low in saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol, such as fruits and vegetables, low-fat or nonfat dairy products, lean meats and chicken without skin, fatty fish, nuts, seeds, beans, peas and unsaturated oils.
Low-Sodium Diet
A low-sodium diet is recommended for people with congestive heart failure caused by high blood pressure, according to RD411.com. Consuming a diet low in fat will help people who are in the early stages of heart failure. If in the more advanced stages of heart failure, a low-sodium diet will help prevent symptoms of swelling extremities and water retention. Examples of foods to limit on a low-sodium diet include cured meats, hot dogs, salami, tomato juice, salty snacks, canned soups, boxed and prepared foods, and frozen foods. Instead, a diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains is encouraged.
Low-Fat Diet
A low-fat diet is good for everyone to follow with heart trouble. The type of fat in the diet is an important concern because various types of fat behave differently. Saturated fat and trans fat contribute to plaque buildup in the arteries. Over time, the buildup of plaque can cause a heart attack due to the restriction of blood flow. The AHA recommends that saturated fat be limited to less than 7 percent of total calories and trans fat to less than 1 percent of calories. Foods to include in a low-fat diet include unsaturated fats such as olive oil, canola oil, corn oil, soybean oil, wheat germ, sunflower oil, peanut butter, low-fat and fat-free dressings and mayonnaise, walnuts, almonds and pistachios.
Low-Triglyceride Diet
Many people with heart trouble have hypertriglyceridemia, which means there are excess amounts of triglycerides, or blood fats, in the blood. Triglycerides circulate through the blood and contribute to the accumulation of plaques in blood vessel walls. The AHA recommends that heart patients eat omega-3 fatty acids from fatty fish at least twice a week to assist with lowering triglycerides. Fish high in omega-3 fats include bluefish, tuna, catfish, carp, halibut, herring, whitefish, salmon, lake trout and mackerel. The body tends to use extra calories, alcohol and refined sugar to make triglycerides. Following a diet low in each of these will help to improve triglyceride levels and boost heart health.
