The specific diet in the presence of cardiovascular disease gives vitality and energy.
what foods and drinks should be avoided by patients with cardiovascular disease?
Above all, give up stimulant drinks - cola, coffee, strong tea and foods with strong spices, because they increase heart rate. And when an organ is damaged, care must be taken.
They should not consume saturated fats as they damage the vessels. The most dangerous are trans fatty acids, which have recently been widely used in the food industry - in the first place, palm oil. They accumulate as plaques in the blood vessels, narrowing them and making it harder for the heart to function.
It is also important not to eat a lot of salty foods. Nowadays, salt is widely used to improve the taste, for example in ready-made sauces, dry soups, pasta snacks and packaged foods with a long shelf life. They contain trans fatty acids. It is good to decide whether to buy a food by reading the label carefully. On the labels, trans fatty acids are veiledly marked as hydrogenated fatty acids.
Patients with cardiovascular disease should also refrain from consuming sugars, ie so-called fast carbohydrates. These are the white sugar and the substances that are written on the labels with the suffix -osa: fructose, dextrose and the like. The reason to avoid fast carbohydrates is because they raise blood sugar sharply, followed by a sharp drop in blood sugar and patients may develop hypoglycaemia.
Instead of refined sugar and its substitutes, it is good to use complex carbohydrates to maintain a constant blood sugar level and not to fall into hypoglycemic crises.
A very important rule when eating out for cardiovascular problems is not to consume large amounts of food. Because when the stomach is full, it raises the diaphragm, which is close to the heart, and heart activity becomes difficult. It should be eaten in small portions so as not to press on the heart.
- What are the useful foods for these patients?
It is desirable to eat fish, with fresh fish. In the worst case, the fish should be frozen, but not canned, highly salted, smoked. Smoked fish are treated with chemicals that are particularly harmful.
Fresh fish is good because of the omega-3 fatty acids it contains, which regulate cholesterol levels and have a potentiating effect on other organs, not only the cardiovascular system. Omega-3 fatty acids are involved in both hormone production and brain function.
Fish also contains iodine, which is very important for the functioning of the thyroid gland, which is involved in metabolism.
Fish meat is also useful because it is easier to digest than red meat. That is why it is good to have fish on the menu at least three times a week. And not only to people with cardiovascular problems, but also to people who feel healthy.
The second group of especially useful foods are those containing potassium. This is not the case with potassium salt, which has recently been commercially advertised and replaces ordinary sodium salt. Potassium-containing foods are potatoes, apricots, melons, rose hips, raisins, bananas and more. They should be consumed because potassium is involved in many metabolic processes and helps to excrete excess fluid in the body. And it is known that the heart finds it harder to work when there is more fluid in the body. Because the heart is the only muscle that constantly pumps and expels blood, supplying nutrients and oxygen to cells.
It is good to eat foods rich in magnesium. These are mainly whole grains, almonds, green vegetables - spinach, lettuce. Patients usually stumble a lot on the tablet form of magnesium, as well as other vitamins and minerals. But the best therapy is natural therapy. Vitamins and minerals in synthetic form are not well absorbed by the body.
- In the summer heat, what food is most suitable?
Food should be light - fruits, vegetables, fish. Pea and green bean legumes are suitable. But in small quantities and often.
- What fluids to take and how much?
It is good to drink 30 ml of water per 1 kg of body weight. Patients themselves feel when they are thirsty and when they are not, but they should not drink too much water. Because in this way the excretory processes are intensified and the body loses valuable minerals. I recommend drinking water and natural juices in moderation. Water, food and physical activity should not be overdone.
In which cardiovascular diseases and to what extent does the diet improve the condition of patients?
Diet affects all cardiovascular diseases. With the intake of appropriate foods and the avoidance of harmful ones, the condition of patients significantly improves. Of course, it also depends on the degree of damage to the cardiovascular system. But with the right diet and light but daily physical activity, the condition of these people is greatly improved.
I will give an example with my patient who had a heart attack. She felt so good after following a proper diet that she decided to start exercising. Of course, I did not recommend such a load. Indeed, her performance had improved a lot. She felt lively, energetic, and began to take longer walks. However, fitness is not suitable for her as a physical activity.
- How long with such a diet begin to feel the first positive results?
The positive results are felt in the first month. Depending on the condition of the patients, a definite improvement may occur in the third, sixth or ninth month. But they must continue to eat this way. This is not a temporary diet, but a permanent diet. If a person returns to his old improper diet, the disease will return.
- Is it necessary to adjust the medical treatment of these people after their performance improves?
Of course, there must be an adjustment to drug therapy. When a person is feeling well, the medication should not stay in the same doses. But this should be decided by the cardiologist.