The heart pumps blood to all parts of the body, carrying oxygen and nutrients. When you have heart disease, the heart's function may be impaired. Eating healthy foods when you have heart disease may prevent further injury to your heart.
Low-Sodium Foods
Increased sodium or salt intake can lead to hypertension, a risk factor for heart failure and strokes. Look at the labels on canned or frozen foods before you buy them. Ensure that they are salt-free or low-salt. Limit your intake of cured meats as they are high in salt. Refrain from adding too much salt to your cooking and to foods that you eat. The American Heart Association advocates a salt intake of 1,500 mg or less per day.
Low-Fat Foods
When you have heart disease, keeping your cholesterol levels low is important to avoid a heart attack or stroke due to cholesterol buildup. Consuming foods that are low in fat reduces worsening of your heart disease and your risk of increasing cholesterol levels. Foods like skinless poultry, fish, shrimp and lean meats are low in fat. Limit your intake of high-fat and high-cholesterol foods such as red meat, shellfish, egg yolk, butter, cheese, lard and bacon. The American Heart Association recommends that people with high bad cholesterol levels or who are taking cholesterol medication should consume less than 200 mg of cholesterol per day.
Fruits and Vegetables
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute recommends that you eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day. They are rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, and are low in fat and cholesterol. These properties can help lower your cholesterol and prevent further damage to your heart.
Whole Grains
The American Heart Association recommends consuming at least 25 to 30 grams of dietary fiber each day. Whole grain foods are good sources of dietary fiber and other nutrients such as thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin E, magnesium, phosphorus and vitamins. Good sources of whole grains are whole grain breads, bran flakes, oats and shredded wheat. Whole grain foods play a part in keeping your blood pressure under control and are healthy for your heart.
