According to experts at the Health website, the right diet can either promote heart disease or prevent heart disease. The diet plan that a person chooses depends on his current heart condition and particular risks. The focus of a heart disease diet plan may vary depending on whether hypertension, high cholesterol or obesity are factors or if recent heart disease has been diagnosed. Regardless, there are many foods that can be considered for a heart disease diet plan because they support overall heart health.
Overall Heart Health
A 10-year study of more than 40,000 Spanish adults showed that a Mediterranean diet decreased the risk for heart attacks and other heart-related diseases, according to Reuters. Overall, the plant-based approach contained olive oil, fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts and seeds. Alcohol and diary were used in moderation and the top meat choice was fish. Experts at the Mayo Clinic claim that substances called phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables are responsible for helping to prevent cardiovascular disease.
Fighting Hypertension
Cutting the salt and fat from the diet will help lower blood pressure, says the American Heart Association. Added salt can increase the blood pressure of some individuals, thus, burdening the heart. Beware, because salt is often added to packaged and prepared foods. Good fats, such as olive oil and canola oil, found in the Mediterranean diet, are the key factors lowering blood pressure, according to Olive Health.
Fighting High Cholesterol
Limiting saturated and trans fats will reduce cholesterol, say experts at the Mayo Clinic. Using olive oil, rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, a HDL cholesterol, has been known to reduce blood cholesterol levels. Most doctors agree that high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol helps remove fat from the blood by binding it in the bloodstream and carrying it back to the liver for removal, says the American Heart Association.
Fighting Atherosclerosis
Avoiding dairy products, high fat meats and hydrogenated oils will help lower the risk of coronary artery disease, claims the Mayo Clinic. According to the All 4 Natural Health site, garlic promotes heart health, especially improving artery conditions by protecting against free radicals, lowering blood pressure and thinning the blood.
Fighting Obesity
Added fat on the body means an extra burden for the heart. For those struggling with heart disease and weight issues, a calorie-restricted heart-healthy diet is recommended by the Health website. Cutting as little as 500 calories per day can lead to a loss of 1 lb. per week. If you are at risk for heart disease or are actively fighting heart disease, avoid fad or crash diets as they can lead to further heart injury if essential electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium, become imbalanced, says Merck.
