What should heart patients eat? A list of foods to eat and foods to avoid.
Heart Disease… Why Care About Diet?
Heart disease patients, especially those with ischemic heart disease or high blood lipids, need to strictly control their diet because food directly affects blood lipids, impacts blood pressure, and influences the narrowing of coronary arteries.
Simply put, “Eat well = Reduce the chance of disease flare-ups.”
What Types of Food Should Heart Disease Patients “Eat”?
Focus on low-fat foods that are good for blood vessels, such as:
- Fish (especially sea fish like salmon), skinless chicken breast, tofu, plant-based protein
Helps reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) and increase good cholesterol
- Increase vegetables and fruits in every meal
Green leafy vegetables, colorful vegetables, fruits that are not too sweet
High in fiber, helps reduce fat and blood sugar
- Choose complex carbohydrates (unrefined)
Brown rice, whole wheat bread, oats
Helps control blood sugar levels and reduces the risk of vascular degeneration
- Good fats can be chosen but in moderation
Olive oil, avocado, nuts
Helps reduce inflammation in blood vessels
Foods Heart Disease Patients “Should Avoid”
- High-fat foods Fatty meats, all kinds of fried foods, processed foods such as bacon and sausages
Increase fat accumulation in blood vessels
- Very salty foods Ready-to-eat meals, instant noodles, fermented foods
Cause high blood pressure and make the heart work harder
- High-sugar foods Sweetened drinks, desserts
Increase the risk of diabetes, which is related to heart disease
Important Tips
Change cooking methods = change health. Choose “boiling, steaming, baking, grilling” instead of “frying.”
How to Eat for “Heart Benefits”
- Reduce fat to help lower clogged fat
- Reduce salt to help control blood pressure
- Reduce sugar to help lower diabetes risk
- Increase vegetables to help blood vessels
- Food choices in each meal directly affect the “symptoms” and “risk of recurrence” of heart disease.
Confident Heart Disease Care at Phyathai Sriracha Hospital
The Heart and Vascular Center at Phyathai Sriracha Hospital is ready to care for you starting from heart disease risk screening
- Coronary angiography (CAG)
- Balloon angioplasty / stent placement
- Heart surgery
- With a specialized medical team and modern technology
- Ready to plan “treatment + nutrition” tailored to each individual
If you have symptoms such as easy fatigue, chest pain, or palpitations, you should get checked promptly.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q: Is eating only clean food enough for heart disease patients?
A: Not always, because some “clean food” menus may still contain hidden sodium or fats. Patients should choose foods suitable for heart disease specifically and may need to adjust according to medical advice.
Q: Do heart disease patients have to avoid all fats?
A: Not necessarily. It is more important to “choose fats” rather than avoid all fats, such as choosing good fats from fish, nuts, and olive oil, and avoiding saturated and trans fats.
Q: Is eating a lot of fruit really good for the heart?
A: Yes, but you must choose the type and amount because some fruits are high in sugar, and eating too much may affect blood sugar levels.
Q: Do heart disease patients need to control their diet for life?
A: For heart disease patients, diet control is part of long-term treatment to prevent disease flare-ups and complications.
Q: Can heart disease patients drink coffee?
A: It is okay to drink in a suitable amount (1–2 cups/day). Avoid sweetened coffee or condensed milk. If you have palpitations or arrhythmia, you should reduce or avoid it
Reference :
Independent Writer
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