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Sunday, June 8, 2014

Congestive Heart-Healthy Diets

As per the U.S. National Library of Medicine, around 5 million people in the U.S. have congestive heart failure (CHF), and about 300,000 Americans die every year because of this cardiac condition. While CHF is a serious health condition, making changes in the diet is effective in alleviating the symptoms of the condition and preventing the CHF from worsening. Heart-healthy diets are highly beneficial for congestive heart failure patients when they are coupled with exercise.

Congestive Heart Failure

    This is a cardiac condition wherein the heart is unable to pump blood efficiently to meet the oxygen and nutrient demands of the body. The most common cause for CHF is coronary artery disease, a condition where the blood vessels supplying oxygen to the heart become narrow due to plaque formation. CHF can also occur due to high blood pressure, diabetes, weakening of the heart muscle due to infection (cardiomyopathy), heart attacks, congenital heart disease, heart valve diseases and certain types of arrhythmias.

    In CHF, the heart does not stop beating; rather it is unable to pump blood like it ought to. This leads to water and blood backing up in the lungs; water retention in the legs, ankles and feet causing swelling; cough; weight gain; shortness of breath; and fatigue. (See Reference 1 and 2)

Restricting Sodium Intake

    People suffering from CHF need to be careful of their salt intake. Too much sodium leads to water retention, which makes the heart work harder and leads to edema of the lungs and shortness of breath. A person suffering from CHF should not eat more than 2,000 mg of sodium per day. If the person has elevated blood pressure, is 51 years or more or is of African-American heritage, he should not consume more than 1,500 mg of sodium per day. Prepackaged and processed foods contain high levels of sodium, and it is important to read the food labels before purchasing them.

Foods to Avoid

    Avoid foods that contain high sodium levels, like anchovies, bacon, salami, hotdogs, ham, sausage, bologna, nuts, olives, cheese, tomato juice, soy, pickles, and sauerkraut. Also, salads are better enhanced with vinegar, lemon juice and freshly ground pepper, rather than salty bottled dressings. Refrain from drinking alcohol and limit the intake of saturated fats, cholesterol and trans fat in the diet. These can lead to coronary artery disease, which can go on to cause CHF.

Foods to Consume

    Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, as they have minimal natural sodium content. Cook food without salt or reduced salt by 50 percent, and enhance the taste and flavor by adding herbs, spices, citrus juice, onions and garlic. When eating out, stick to salt-free food that has been baked, broiled, steamed or grilled. Fresh fruits and sorbet make excellent dessert choices for people suffering from CHF. Diet for CHF helps to reduce the symptoms and stop the progress of the condition.

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