A cardiac disorder is a certain type of heart disease, such as coronary heart disease, hypertension, congestive heart failure and arrhythmia. Sodium, saturated and trans fats in the diet are risk factors for developing heart disease and increase the risk for complications. Eating a healthy diet of whole foods, low sodium foods and healthy fats can help you reduce the progression of heart disease and lower the risk of complications. Consult your doctor about your cardiac health and diet.
Fruits and Vegetables
Eating fresh fruits and vegetables can help you manage a cardiac disorder and help slow the progression of coronary heart disease. Fruits and vegetables are nutrient-dense foods that contain high concentrations of micronutrients such as vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Harvard School of Public Health recommends you eat plentiful amounts of fruits and vegetables throughout the day to lower your risk of cardiovascular disease. Green leafy vegetables, such as kale, bok choy, spinach, cabbage and broccoli, are among the most nutrient-dense foods. Research by scientists at Wageningen University in The Netherlands and published in the "Public Library of Science One" in 2010 indicates that eating higher amounts of raw fruits and vegetables may protect against coronary heart disease.
Low Sodium Foods
When you have hypertension, lowering your blood pressure through a low sodium diet can help you reduce the risks of stroke and coronary heart disease. Research by scientists at the University of California in Irvine and published in the "Journal of Clinical Hypertension" in 2007 reports that high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels are major risk factors for coronary artery disease and that lowering blood pressure to normal levels can prevent 19 percent of coronary heart disease events. Consuming high amounts of sodium may increase your blood pressure and risk of stroke, whereas eating a diet low in sodium may lower your blood pressure and risk of stroke. High amounts of sodium are found in processed foods; low sodium foods include whole foods such as legumes, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Read the labels of food products to determine the amount of sodium per serving. The USDA Dietary Guidelines recommends that Americans consume less than 1,500 mg of sodium per day if you have a cardiac disorder including high blood pressure.
Healthy Fats
Coronary heart disease is caused in part by a build-up of plaque inside your arteries that increases your risk of heart attack and death. You can help manage this disease by reducing your cholesterol levels through diet. Eating healthy fats can help lower your cholesterol levels, reduce inflammation and stabilize heart rhythms in patients with heart disease. Healthy fats include polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. Polyunsaturated fatty acids include omega-3 fatty acids from walnuts, flax seeds, salmon, tuna and herring and omega-6 fatty acids from vegetable oils. Monounsaturated fatty acids are found in olive oil, nuts and avocados. A high dietary intake of fish each week, compared to a modest intake of once per week, is associated with a significant reduced risk of coronary heart disease, particularly nonfatal cardiac events, among middle-aged adults, according to research by scientists at the University of Tsukuba in Japan and published in "Circulation" in 2006.
Soluble Fiber
A high fiber diet, particularly one that includes high amounts of soluble fiber, may lower your risk of dying from heart disease. For every 10 g of dietary fiber you eat per day, you can reduce your death from coronary heart disease by 17 percent, according to research by scientists at Wageningen University in the Netherlands and published in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" in 2008. Eating soluble fiber reduces the amount of dietary cholesterol your body absorbs. Foods high in soluble fiber include beans, lentils, fruits and vegetables.
References
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: What Is Heart Disease?
- MedlinePlus; Hypertension; July 29, 2010
- MayoClinic.com; Heart Failure; March 22, 2011
- MedlinePlus; Arrhythmia; May 9, 2011
- Harvard School of Public Health: Vegetables and Fruits: Get Plenty Every Day
- Eat Right America; Full List of Andi Scores; 2010
