Diet Plan for Heart Failure Patients

Heart failure patients can optimize their health through dietary changes. Weakened heart arteries can't perform regular functions normally and poor dietary choices exacerbate this situation. Healthy dietary choices, on the other hand, increase overall well-being and vitality. A few modifications are required but living on a heart-healthy diet can be flavorful and fun.

Limit Fats and Cholesterol

Cholesterol, sodium, and saturated and trans fats are culprits when to a heart failure diet. Too much cholesterol causes fatty substances to line the inner walls of your blood vessels, which is why lowering cholesterol and fat intake is critical in maintaining a healthy diet. Saturated fats come from beef, veal, poultry and lamb fat; butter; cream; whole milk; cheese; and vegetable oils that are high in saturated fats. Trans fats are in many processed foods and can raise your bad cholesterol levels, according to the American Heart Association (AHA), and should be avoided. Keep your total fat intake below 35 percent of your total caloric intake. No more than seven percent of your caloric intake should be from saturated fat and trans fats should be kept at less than one percent of your daily caloric intake, in keeping with AHA recommendations.

Limit Sodium

Too much sodium in your system causes water retention, which makes your heart have to work harder. This can result in shortness of breath and swollen feet, ankles and legs, reports the Mayo Clinic. People with heart failure should limit their sodium to 2000 mg or less per day. Pay attention to processed foods, as many unsuspecting foods have lots of sodium. Monitor your intake of salt substitutes because many contain potassium chloride, which can be harmful if you have problems with your kidneys or if you're taking prescriptions for heart failure.

Monitor Alcohol and Fluids

Too much alcohol weakens the heart muscles and can cause abnormal heartbeats, according to the Mayo Clinic. It may also interact with prescriptions you are taking for your condition. Your physician might want you to limit fluids if you have severe heart failure.

Monitor Potassium

Potassium helps the body maintain its heart and nervous system. People who have kidney problems, however, take medications that might cause potassium build to up in their systems, reports the AHA. Consult with your physician regarding this issue, as you might need to avoid potassium-rich foods. These foods include bananas, apricots, dates, strawberries, watermelon, peas, spinach, mushrooms, oranges, raisins, prunes, grapefruits and beans.