Heart disease is a general term used to describe any problem with the heart muscle, its valves or the blood vessels that carry blood and oxygen through the body. This includes coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, heart failure, leaky heart valves and many other conditions. Having heart disease increases the risk of having a heart attack or stroke so it needs to be controlled. Treatment usually includes losing excess weight, quitting smoking, getting regular exercise and eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. However, before starting any new food program, it is always best to consult with a physician.
Weight Loss
Being overweight or obese increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes and other chronic illnesses. Carrying extra weight raises total blood cholesterol levels, including low-density lipoproteins, or LDL, the "bad" cholesterol, and triglycerides, while lowering high-density lipoproteins, or HDL, the "good" cholesterol. Losing weight requires cutting back on calories and eating healthy foods that leave the body feeling full. Consuming a diet high in vegetables helps cut calories and creates a feelings of fullness, so that eating healthy does not lead to feeling starved or deprived.
Lowers Fat and Cholesterol Consumption
Lowering the risk of heart disease or managing an existing condition involves eating a well balanced diet that is low in fat, salt and cholesterol. A heart healthy diet means your daily calories come from fruits and vegetables. For best results combine a vegetable diet with limiting saturated fat to 7 percent of total calories, less than 1 percent from trans fats and no more than 300 mg a day of cholesterol, reports the MayoClinic.com. Replace meat in recipes with veggies and aim to get at least 3 to 5 cups of vegetables daily.
Increases Fiber Intake
Getting enough fiber not only improves digestive health, it may lower the risk of heart disease. The Cleveland Clinic recommends getting a daily intake of 25 to 35 grams of fiber to help lower cholesterol levels and prevent heart disease. Vegetables are a good source of fiber and the more variety the better. Eating a variety of vegetables of all colors helps provide the body with the vitamins, nutrients and fiber it needs.
Antioxidants
During the process of digestion the body produces free radicals that may cause damage to various cells in the body, contributing to the development of heart disease. The American Academy of Family Physicians suggests that eating a diet rich in foods containing antioxidants may protect against the damage that free radicals can do. Vegetables containing vitamin E, vitamin C and beta-carotene seem to provide the most benefit. Vegetables rich in these vitamins include tomatoes, green leafy vegetables -- the darker the better -- carrots, squash and sweet potatoes.
