Pregnancy is like a second job for your heart. Your fluid and blood volume nearly doubles, and your heart must work up to 40 percent harder to pump all of this new fluid through your body. When you have coronary artery disease, this increased workload falls on a circulatory system already strained by hardened, narrowed or clogged arteries. Adding to your heart's workload puts you at an elevated risk for a stroke, heart attack and certain pregnancy complications, according to the American Heart Association. A heart-healthy and baby-friendly diet will serve as the the foundation of any treatment plan.
Managing Weight Gain: The Role of Calories
The combination of pregnancy and coronary heart disease makes calorie control tricky. On one hand, a reduced-calorie diet helps you lose weight and manage heart disease. On the other hand, you need to eat plenty of food to keep up with you and your baby's ever-increasing nutrition and energy needs. A modest weight gain of around 11 to 35 lbs., depending on your current weight, helps your baby put on a layer of essential fat, and some fat is critical to the fetal development process. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says that most women need about 300 calories more than the amount typically required to maintain their weight. It also goes on to say that reduced-calorie diets and weight loss during pregnancy can be safe and appropriate if the benefits outweigh the risks. Work with both your doctor and your prenatal care provider to come up with the safest calorie and weight management strategy based on your individual needs and the severity of your coronary heart disease. Never eat fewer than 1,800 calories without first talking to your doctor.
Reducing Risk: Understanding and Choosing Fats
Coronary heart disease means plaque buildup narrows the passageways that your blood flows through. Since less blood gets through, your heart must pump harder to keep up with your body's demands. Increased cholesterol contributes to coronary artery disease. The leading risk factor for high cholesterol is a diet high in bad fats and low in good fats, according to the American Heart Association. Bad fats include trans fats and saturated fats. They're found in fried foods, cheese, meat, junk food, full-fat dairy products and fast food. To reduce your saturated and trans fat intake, switch to low-fat or fat-free dairy, pick lean cuts of meat, eat more meatless meals and skip junk food and fast foods except in occasional moderation.
Good fats include polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. Good fats lower heart disease risk by reducing bad cholesterol and improving the flexibility of your blood vessels, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. They're found in nuts, seeds, margarine, avocados and fatty fish. Aim to get 30 percent of your daily calories from these good fats. Avoid raw or undercooked fish. Skip fish high in mercury, such as swordfish and king mackerel, since mercury in excess causes birth defects.
Basic Eating Strategy: Getting the Most Out of Each Meal
Your nutritional demands increase as your baby rapidly grows inside your body. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends pregnant women get at least 1,000 mg of calcium, 27 mg of iron, 770 mcg of vitamin A, 85 mg of vitamin C, 200 IU of vitamin D and 600 mcg of folic acid, plus the recommended daily intake of other vitamins and minerals. The best way to ensure that you meet your nutritional needs while also lowering stroke and heart attack risk from coronary heart disease is to base your meals around fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Pair them with lean meats and fat-free dairy to complete the picture, and drink plenty of water. If you eat a diet made up primarily of a variety of these foods, you'll control blood pressure, lower cholesterol, control your weight and supply your baby with all the nutrients necessary to thrive.
Attention to Detail: The Benefits of Fiber
Fiber is a key element in managing coronary heart disease. Fiber found in fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains lowers bad cholesterol and blood pressure. It also helps keep you comfortable during pregnancy by helping you feel full without overeating, keeping you regular and preventing hemorrhoids. Beans are chock-full of this healthy fiber, and eating them supplies you with the iron you would typically get from fatty meats. Soy beans in particular have powerful cholesterol-lowering effects, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains also supply plenty of fiber to your diet, adding to the benefits of choosing those foods as the mainstay of your diet.
References
- Medline Plus: Coronary Heart Disease
- Cleveland Clinic: Heart Disease & Pregnancy
- "American Family Physician"; Dietary Therapy for Preventing and Treating Coronary Artery Disease; Steven C. Masley, M.D.; March 1998
- MayoClinic.com; High Cholesterol; May 2010
- American Heart Association; Heart Disease and Stoke Statistics; 2007
- MayoClinic.com; High Blood Pressure; August 2009
