Heart failure is often characterized as an inability of the heart to pump enough blood to meet your body's current needs. Also referred to as congestive heart failure, the heart becomes too weak or stiff to function properly, leading to a reduced blood flow that can result in kidney damage, liver damage and further heart damage. It also increases your risk of heart attack and stroke. Doctors typically treat heart failure with medications, but also suggest lifestyle changes to prevent the progression of the condition.
Sodium
Reducing your sodium intake is a common recommendation. This mineral causes the body to retain water. Diets high in sodium can lead to so much water retention that your already failing heart must work that much harder to transport blood. With heart failure, sodium intake is limited to no more than 2,000 mg a day, explains MayoClinic.com. But your doctor may reduce this amount even further, so always follow his instructions.
Fat
For some people, narrowing of the arteries can contribute to heart failure. In this situation, doctors recommend limiting your intake of dietary fat, advises the American Heart Association. With this dietary restriction, limit your intake of saturated fat to no more than 7 percent of your daily caloric intake and trans fat, or trans-fatty acid, to no more than 1 percent. At the same time, you'll also need to limit your dietary cholesterol intake to anywhere between 200 and 300 mg a day.
Diet
The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute recommends using a heart-healthy diet to manage heart failure. Poor diets can worsen your condition. Although a dietitian will work with you to establish a proper diet, it will likely consist of many fruits, vegetables and whole grains with limited amounts of low-fat dairy and lean meats. Also, don't be surprised when your dietitian incorporates foods high in potassium, such as bananas, spinach, potatoes, sweet potatoes, dried fruits and orange juice, into your heart-healthy diet. Potassium helps better balance sodium in the body and maintain the rhythm of your heart.
Fluids
It isn't uncommon for doctors to restrict fluid consumption in people dealing with heart failure. Like sodium, sizable intake of fluid can cause you to retain water and make the heart work harder. The amount of fluid you can drink varies from person to person. However, most medical professionals recommend limiting your alcohol intake to one to two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women, notes the American Heart Association. You'll also need to limit your intake of beverages containing caffeine to no more than 2 cups a day.
