Healthy food for people with a weak heart (cardiomyopathy)

Apart from medical treatment, patients with weak heart or cardiomyopathy also need to adopt a healthy lifestyle. This needs to be done so that the treatment of a weak heart is more effective while preventing the development of more severe diseases, such as heart failure. Therefore, it is important to eat healthy foods for a weak heart, and stay away from dietary restrictions for a weak heart.

List of foods that are good for patients with a weak heart (cardiomyopathy)

Cardiomyopathy or weak heart disease can be caused by several things. Apart from genetic or hereditary factors, this disease can also occur due to other medical conditions, such as hypertension, obesity, diabetes, or diseases that affect other heart function.

This medical condition can occur due to a poor diet, such as consuming foods high in sodium (salt) and excessive bad fats (saturated and trans fats). These foods have been shown to increase your risk of obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, which can put additional stress on your heart and worsen your cardiomyopathy.

Therefore, people with weak heart need to maintain their diet, by staying away from these ingredients and increasing their intake of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and good fats that can improve heart health. Then, what foods fall into these criteria? The following is a list of foods that are good for consumption for people with weak hearts:

1. Green vegetables

Green vegetables, such as spinach, kale, lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, and mustard greens, are rich in vitamins A, C, K, several B vitamins (especially folate), and potassium which is good for heart and blood vessel health. This type of food also contains high fiber and low calories so it is suitable for those who lose weight and prevent obesity.

Therefore, this type of food is very suitable for consumption by people with weak hearts. Consume one cup of ripe green vegetables a day to get benefits for your heart. Choose fresh green vegetables and avoid canned or packaged vegetables because they are high in sodium.

Apart from green vegetables, several other vegetables are also good for heart health, including those with a weak heart, such as carrots, potatoes, and peppers.

2. Fish and fish oil

Other foods that are good for people with a weak heart or cardiomyopathy, namely fish and fish oil. These foods contain omega-3 fatty acids, which can lower triglyceride levels, blood pressure, irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias), blood clots, and the risk of heart failure and stroke. As for these things are related to a weak heart or cardiomyopathy.

Reporting from Cardiomyopathy UK, several studies have also shown that omega-3s can help treat dilated cardiomyopathy patients who have mild to moderate heart failure.

To get these benefits, you can eat several types of fish with high omega-3 levels, such as salmon, mackerel, cod, trout, and tuna. You can eat fish twice a week to improve your heart health and reduce the risk of dying from heart disease that you are suffering from.

3. Oatmeal

Another type of food that is good for consumption by people with a weak heart or cardiomyopathy is oatmeal. Oatmeal contains high fiber and other vitamins and minerals, such as magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, and vitamin B1 (thiamin).

With these ingredients, oatmeal has been shown to reduce blood pressure and bad cholesterol levels in the blood, thereby reducing the risk of cardiomyopathy complications. In addition, the beta glucan fiber in oatmeal can also prevent the increase in blood sugar and insulin levels so it is good for diabetics and obesity, both of which can affect your weak heart.

4. Beans and legumes

Nuts, such as almonds and walnuts, and legumes, such as kidney beans, green beans, black beans, and lima, can be used as food choices for people with weak hearts. The reason is, these two types of food both contain protein, but do not contain saturated fat, like meat.

Nuts also contain unsaturated fats, as well as several vitamins that can reduce bad cholesterol levels in the body. In fact, some nuts, such as walnuts, also contain omega-3 fatty acids which are also good for heart health.

5. Berries

Berries, especially blueberries and strawberries, are good for the health of your heart and blood vessels. Berries contain a type of flavonoid compound, namely anthocyanins, which are antioxidants. The content of the fruit is believed to prevent inflammation (inflammation).

In addition, anthocyanins have also been shown to lower blood pressure and protect blood vessels from damage. Thus, the content in this fruit is suitable for consumption by people with weak hearts.

You can eat berries eaten directly or mixed in oatmeal or nonfat yogurt as your breakfast menu. Do not over-consume berries as they also contain sugar. At least, consume this type of fruit three times a week to be effective in getting its benefits.

6. Avocado

Another fruit that is good for people with cardiomyopathy or a weak heart is avocado. Avocado contains monounsaturated fat (monounsaturated fat) which can help reduce levels of bad cholesterol (LDL), thereby reducing the risk of various heart diseases.

In addition, avocado is also rich in potassium which can lower blood pressure so that it can reduce pressure on your heart. You can eat one avocado a day so that it is effective in treating a weak heart that you are suffering from.

Apart from berries and avocado, several other fruits are also good for consumption by people with weak hearts, such as apples, bananas, tomatoes, oranges, papayas, and melons. These fruits contain potassium, magnesium and fiber which are good for heart health.

You can also consume milk and dairy products, such as cheese and yogurt, every day as a good source of calcium for the body. However, you should choose low-fat or fat-free milk and dairy products so as not to worsen your cardiomyopathy.

Abstinence of food for a weak heart that needs to be avoided

Apart from eating the recommended foods, you also need to avoid dietary restrictions for a weak heart. These foods are sleepy saturated fats and trans fats which can increase bad cholesterol levels, raise blood pressure, and increase the risk of obesity and diabetes. As for these things can affect the cardiomyopathy you are experiencing.

Here is a list of dietary restrictions that are not good for people with weak hearts and should be avoided:

Red meat, such as beef, lamb and pork.
Chicken skin.
Butter.
Foods high in sweeteners or sugar, such as cakes (inclcake and cookies), ice cream, donuts, or biscuits.
Fried or deep fried foods.
Milk and dairy products, including cheese and yogurt, are high in fat.
Alcohol.

You should also go on a low salt diet (DASH diet) to reduce your sodium intake. Other foods with high sodium levels you also need to avoid, such as canned, packaged, or processed foods, including processed meats, and fast food.

By avoiding these dietary restrictions and eating the recommended foods, the treatment for your weak heart will be more effective and you will also avoid heart failure which can be life threatening.