Diet For Diseases Of The Cardiovascular System

A properly selected diet will help you take the disease under control and speed up recovery.

A properly selected diet will help you take the disease under control and speed up recovery.

Doctors say that diseases of the cardiovascular system are the world's number 1 health problem. The situation in Ukraine is no exception in this matter. The number of people suffering from diseases of the cardiovascular system in our country has reached 25 million people. This is more than half of the country's population!

"In Ukraine, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) annually cause the death of 450-470 thousand people, which can be compared with the population of a large regional center," writes Oleksiy Oleksandrovych Khanyukov, candidate of medical sciences, Department of Hospital Therapy No. 2 of the State Academy of Medical Sciences.

Why does the cardiovascular system suffer?

One of the main reasons for the wide spread of diseases of the heart and blood vessels is the benefits of civilization. Humanity began to live more calmly and contentedly. A sedentary lifestyle and an abundance of fatty, refined food leads to obesity and problems with blood vessels. Therefore, the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases are closely related to the correction of the lifestyle and control over the diet.

"The problems that prevent our "healthy" life are much less than people think. It's just that sometimes it's convenient to find excuses that justify not wanting to strain. After all, it is easier to spread butter on a piece of bread than to make a whole plate of salad. Meanwhile, the benefits of fresh vegetables and fruits have been confirmed by serious scientific research. It was established that daily consumption of at least seven portions (a portion is a medium-sized apple) of such food prevents a heart attack," says cardiologist Kateryna Amosova.

Proper nutrition will help in the fight against the disease

A lot depends on nutrition. Proper nutrition will help stop the development of the disease, and improper nutrition will increase it and lead to complications.

Therefore, diet control in cardiovascular diseases is one of the most important parts of the treatment process. Following the nutritional recommendations developed by doctors will help you reduce the load on the cardiovascular system, improve its work and normalize metabolism.

Food rules

For people with diseases of the cardiovascular system, doctors recommend diet No. 10. Depending on the specific disease, the diet can be more or less strict. But general recommendations are suitable for all people with heart and vascular problems.

• Reduce the share of animal fats in the diet . These fats contain a lot of "bad" cholesterol, which is deposited in blood vessels and contributes to problems with the cardiovascular system. Animal fats in your menu are not only lard and fatty meat, but also sausages, sausages, store-bought minced meat.
• Reduce the use of salt . Sodium, which is contained in salt, contributes to fluid retention in the body. This creates an additional load on the heart and blood vessels, leads to swelling and an increase in blood pressure.
• Add omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids to the menu . With the help of these substances, cholesterol deposits and blood clots can be reduced. These necessary substances are mainly found in fish oil and vegetable oils.
• Reduce the calorie content of food . Extra calories lead to extra pounds. And this, in turn, negatively affects the cardiovascular system.
• Eat often and little by little . An overfilled stomach can put pressure on the autonomic nerves, which are responsible for the work of the heart. Therefore, doctors recommend eating 5-6 times a day in small portions.
• Control the amount of liquid you drink . Diseases of the cardiovascular system are often accompanied by edema. To avoid this, it is recommended to reduce the amount of liquid to 1.5 liters. But this should only be done by those who are at risk of swelling.
• Eat more foods that contain dietary fiber . It is necessary to eat 300 g of vegetables and fruits per day. You can use them both raw and boiled or stewed. Dietary fibers will help you get rid of excess cholesterol, will absorb toxic substances and remove them from the body.
• Limit the use of foods that stimulate the nervous system : strong tea, coffee, mushroom broths, spicy dishes

You can not eat:

• fatty pork and beef, meat of waterfowl, sausage products, very fatty fish
• smoked and pickled
• legumes
• fried food
• cooking fats, margarine, lard

Depending on which particular disease you have been diagnosed with, your diet may change slightly. For example, with atherosclerosis, emphasis is placed on limiting foods rich in cholesterol. And with hypertensive disease, salt consumption is maximally reduced.

To determine your personal menu, you need to consult a doctor. He will analyze your state of health and give advice on diet.

Pay attention to nutrition. Arm yourself with new knowledge and optimism, and defeat the disease!