Angioplasty is a surgical procedure used to open your blocked or narrowed arteries to improve blood flow to your heart. It is usually required in individuals with a history of atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of plaque in blood vessels. High blood cholesterol levels contribute to plaque buildup. Changing your diet to help lower blood cholesterol following your angioplasty can help prevent further buildup and improve heart health.
Eat More Fiber
Lower your blood cholesterol levels following your angioplasty is by increasing your fiber intake, specifically soluble fiber. Soluble fiber helps reduce blood cholesterol levels by preventing your body from absorbing cholesterol. Adding 5 to 10 g of soluble fiber to your diet each day can help lower your LDL cholesterol, the bad cholesterol responsible for plaque buildup. Food sources of soluble fiber include oatmeal, oat bran, Brussels sprouts, kidney beans, apples and pears.
Fish Twice A Week
Including more fish in your diet can also help improve heart health following your procedure. The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends fish or seafood one to two times a week. While all seafood can help improve heart-health, fatty fish, such as salmon and tuna, contain high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids which can also help lower blood cholesterol levels, along with reducing blood pressure.
Include Healthy Fats
The American Heart Association recommends you limit your daily fat intake to 25 to 35 percent of calories, saturated fat to less than 7 percent of calories and dietary cholesterol to less than 200 mg a day. Consuming foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol, found primarily in animal products, can increase your blood cholesterol levels. Instead, make most of your fat choices healthy by including more monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, such as olive oil, canola oil and vegetable oil. Replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats can lower blood cholesterol levels. In addition, some monounsaturated fats, such as olive oil, also contain substances that help lower blood cholesterol levels.
Add Nuts to Your Diet
Include nuts in your diet following your angioplasty to improve heart-health. A handful of nuts a day, about 1 oz., can lower risk of heart disease. Nuts contain heart-healthy fats, antioxidants and fiber. Healthy choices include peanuts, hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds, pecans and pistachio nuts. Walnuts are also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. Nuts, however, are a concentrated source of calories, so try to keep your intake to the recommended 1 oz. serving to help balance your calorie intake for weight management.
References
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute; What Is Coronary Angioplasty?; January 2010
- American Academy of Family Physicians; Coronary Artery Disease: How Your Diet Can Help; April 2003
- MayoClinic.com; Cholesterol: Top Five Foods to Lower Your Numbers; May 2010
- American Heart Association: Know Your Fats
