{"id":11670,"date":"2024-08-06T15:58:05","date_gmt":"2024-08-06T19:58:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/springgroverehab.com\/?p=11670"},"modified":"2024-08-06T16:02:32","modified_gmt":"2024-08-06T20:02:32","slug":"choose-heart-healthy-diet-after-your-cardiac-event","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/springgroverehab.com\/choose-heart-healthy-diet-after-your-cardiac-event\/","title":{"rendered":"Choose Heart-Healthy Diet After Your Cardiac Event"},"content":{"rendered":"
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If you don\u2019t eat healthfully, you won\u2019t be healthy. It\u2019s common knowledge, but a lot of people still struggle with their diets and lifestyles. Unfortunately, failing to consistently eat healthfully is a major risk factor for heart disease and cardiac episodes.<\/p>\n
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 47% of adults<\/a> in America have at least one of the three highest risk factors for heart disease: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or smoking tobacco. Two of these are direct results of an unhealthy diet. If you have diabetes, you are also at a higher risk for cardiac disease.<\/p>\n So how does a poor diet affect heart disease? Plaque will build up<\/a> in your arteries if you aren\u2019t eating enough minerals and nutrients to get your blood flowing. If you\u2019ve experienced a cardiac event such as a heart attack, you\u2019ll want to stick to healthier eating habits so that you don\u2019t have another episode. Patients who also have diabetes will need more aggressive diet control, further education, and major behavior control for diet management.<\/p>\n About 1 in 5 people<\/a> who survive a heart attack will have to be readmitted for another episode within five years, according to the American Heart Association. The AHA advises you to improve heart health and lower your risks of a second attack by developing a routine of regular physical activity and \u2014 you guessed it \u2014 eating a lot more healthfully.<\/p>\n The biggest culprits of a diet that’s poor for cardiac health include unhealthy fats, such as saturated and trans fats, that are found in most processed foods. These contribute largely to the plaque buildup that blocks arteries before a heart attack. Eliminating or severely limiting these fats from your diet is an important first step.<\/p>\n However, there\u2019s no single best diet for cardiac health; everyone\u2019s health and metabolism is different. There are many kinds of foods to improve heart health, and the following strategies will help you discover the best nutrition plan for you:<\/p>\n 1. Start with healthier alternatives.<\/strong><\/p>\n Start with the basics and focus on changing how your meals look<\/a>. Instead of fried chicken, pick skinless grilled chicken. Buy low-fat versions of the milk, cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products you enjoy. These seemingly small changes will help you get used to approaching your meals from a healthier perspective.<\/p>\n Once you\u2019ve grown accustomed to looking for better alternatives, you can start incorporating the best foods to improve heart health like vegetables and fish. You can also pick foods with healthy fats (like omega-3 fatty acids) and complex carbs to help maintain blood sugar levels.<\/p>\n 2. Try more natural diets.<\/strong><\/p>\n Once you\u2019re in the habit of making healthier food choices, you can start getting more creative in how you arrange it all on your plate. For example, natural-style meal plans like the Mediterranean diet<\/a> have helped people reduce their risk of having cardiac episodes.<\/p>\n Natural diets aim to create meals that are full of essential minerals and nutrients. They involve eating fruits and vegetables in a wide variety of combinations as well as whole grains and naturally raised fish. Cooking your meals with vegetable or plant oil instead of butter can also boost your heart health and energy levels.<\/p>\n 3. Experiment with healthier cooking methods.<\/strong><\/p>\nNutrition Tips for a Cardiac, Heart-Healthy Diet<\/strong><\/h3>\n