[LifeStyle] How to take care of diet in heart failure

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Heart failure arises when the heart is unable to adequately fulfill its function: to pump blood throughout the body. It is a serious disease, but it is also preventable and treatable. It is estimated that one in five people over 40 will suffer from it in their lifetime.

The treatment of this pathology is supported by different medications and medical procedures, as well as a healthy lifestyle based on regular physical exercise and proper nutrition. Javier de Juan and Catalina Munera, associate doctor of the Cardiology Service and nurse of the Heart Failure Unit of the Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, indicate that, if there are no specific contraindications, “a varied, sufficient and balanced diet is recommended, with abundant vegetables (vegetables and fruit), fish, low-fat meats, eggs, dairy products, legumes and whole grains (pasta, rice, bread, oats) ”.

The foods that should be avoided are, mainly, industrially processed, prepared and manufactured products that contain salt, trans fats, added sugars ... Fats of animal origin, such as red meat, and derivatives such as butter, must be limited. Also foods rich in simple sugars, pastries and pastries or sweet creams.

 

Avoid salt in excess
Javier Segovia, head of the Heart Failure and Transplantation Section of the Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda Hospital, Madrid, and a member of the Spanish Society of Cardiology (SEC), abounds in the importance of “eating a varied diet, without excess salt nor of calories ”.

The experts clarify that it is not necessary to completely eliminate salt if it is not expressly advised by the clinical situation of the patient and recall that the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends not consuming more than 5 grams a day because a higher intake increases the chances of developing hypertension.

The best way to reduce your salt intake is to avoid foods that contain large amounts of sodium and to eliminate prepared dishes, smoked dishes, and snacks. "Or, in case of consuming them, to do it in a very punctual way", Segovia emphasizes.

As for low-sodium salt substitutes, experts warn that they can be dangerous due to their high potassium content. Instead, "we can consider seasoning the food with various types of spices, fresh or dried aromatic herbs, vinegars and lemon juice," says Munera.

 

Should you take nutritional supplements?
Some patients receiving diuretics (drugs to urinate more) in high doses have a tendency to lose potassium in the urine and may require potassium supplementation. However, it should be borne in mind, as Segovia asserts, that "there are also patients with heart failure with a tendency to hyperkalemia (excess potassium), which is as serious as its deficiency." For this reason, it will be the doctor, "with the help of periodic blood tests, who will establish whether a patient needs potassium supplements and in what quantity."

De Juan adds that the general recommendation not to take supplements without a prescription "also applies to herbal products, as they can interact with medication."

 

Restricted soft drinks and alcohol
Hydration is essential, but not all drinks are equally recommended. Low-calorie soft drinks "can be taken sporadically, although they do not have a nutritional contribution that makes them advisable as an alternative to water, which is the best option to hydrate," says Munera. In addition, their sodium content should be considered before taking them.

De Juan makes an important point about hydration in these patients: "One of the complications of heart failure can be fluid retention and that patients need to recognize the signs of this situation that can put them in danger." The cardiologist warns that, if this occurs, especially in advanced stages of the disease, "it is advisable to limit fluid intake to less than two liters a day."

As for alcohol, he recalls that "it is not justified to recommend its intake while waiting for health benefits." Likewise, in some patients the cause of heart failure is precisely the abusive consumption of alcohol. In these cases it is recommended to abstain from any amount of alcohol.

In the rest, the general recommendation is not to exceed two units of alcohol per day for men and one unit per day for women. One unit is the equivalent of a small glass of wine or a pint of beer.

 

Mediterranean diet and regularity
"The low-salt Mediterranean diet summarizes the general recommendations for these patients," Munera emphasizes. The cardiologist at the Puerta de Hierro Hospital adds that, along with this eating pattern, there is another element that is particularly relevant: regularity in eating habits, which “contributes to better treatment (for example, when taking the medication approximately at the same hours) and to avoid decompensation of the disease.

Also, the expert declares that eating healthy "does not have to be boring." For example, as a mid-morning snack or snack, ultra-processed snacks can be replaced by a serving of between 20 and 30 grams of nuts, which provide fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and help improve the elasticity of blood vessels.

You can also choose tasty fruits such as strawberries, watermelon, cherries, blueberries or papaya, which according to Segovia “are a very good option due to their richness in lycopene, which has vasodilating properties that protect against high blood pressure and from the formation of clots, reduces the production of cholesterol and protects against stroke ”.