This is an automatically translated article.
The article was professionally consulted by Doctor General Internal Medicine - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.
Ischemic cardiomyopathy is also known as stable angina or coronary insufficiency. This is a fairly common cardiovascular disease in Vietnam. The disease seriously affects life expectancy, quality of life as well as costs for treatment and care.
1. What is ischemic cardiomyopathy?
Ischemic heart disease, also known as coronary artery disease, is a condition caused by narrowing of the coronary arteries that restricts the supply of blood, oxygen, and nutrients to the heart.
Ischemic heart disease is a very common disease in the elderly, smoking a lot, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, obesity. The disease can be chronic or acute. The clinical manifestation of coronary insufficiency is angina pectoris
Ischemic cardiomyopathy not only affects the patient's quality of life through reduced exercise capacity and physical activity but also affect the patient's psychology, sleep and family happiness. In addition to following the doctor's treatment, the patient's diet also plays an important role in disease control and reduces the risk of death.
2. What should be eaten with ischemic cardiomyopathy?
Chronic ischemic cardiomyopathy is characterized primarily by episodes of retrosternal chest pain that appear on exertion and subside with rest. It is caused by atherosclerotic plaques due to cholesterol deposition around the coronary artery walls, narrowing the lumen of the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart.
A reasonable diet for people with ischemic cardiomyopathy will control the amount of bad fat in the body, limit the increase in the size of atheroma and increase foods that lower cholesterol in the blood. .
To answer the question of what to eat with ischemic cardiomyopathy, please refer to the suggestions below.
2.1. Prioritize foods that contain a lot of fiber, increase green vegetables and fresh fruits
High amounts of fiber (cellulose) are found in whole grains such as beans, peas, oats and barley. Fiber helps you feel full for longer, reduces cravings by reducing stomach emptying time and can help lower blood cholesterol levels.
Richer sources of fiber are present in green vegetables and fresh fruits, green vegetables and fruits also contain a large amount of essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, vitamin C, Calcium, Potassium,... very good. for the cardiovascular system as well as for the whole body.
Therefore, patients with chronic ischemic heart disease should eat a lot of green vegetables, fresh fruits and whole grains.
2.2. Think Omega-3s for Your Heart Health
Are you getting enough omega-3 fatty acids every day? Omega-3s, found mainly in fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring, sardines and tuna, are beneficial for the hearts of healthy people and those with cardiovascular problems.
Research shows that omega-3s are lower than triglycerides (fats in the blood that circulate along with cholesterol), slow the buildup of plaque in the arteries, and may reduce the risk of abnormal heart rhythms.
The American Heart Association recommends eating fish at least twice a week, but if you have angina, you may need more to help control blood fats. You should get advice from your doctor about how much is right for you, and whether you should take a fish oil supplement. Normally, 100g of sea fish/day will provide enough omega-3 for your body. In addition, to help enrich the daily menu and still provide enough omega-3, you can refer to 12 more Omega 3 rich foods.
2.3. Choose low-fat or fat-free milk
When you have ischemic heart disease, you should choose low-fat milk, so soy milk, fat-free yogurt and low-fat cheese. Milk is rich in potassium, which reduces the risk of stroke, according to recent studies.
3. Ischemic cardiomyopathy should limit what to eat?
3.1. Eat less red meat
Instead of eating these meats, patients should choose proteins such as fish, skinless poultry and beans. People with chronic ischemic heart disease should consider eating one meat-free meal a day.
3.2. Limit salt intake
Salt causes water retention and raises blood pressure. To reduce salt in your diet, eat more fresh foods and less processed products like fast food.
3.3. Limit sweets and saturated fats
When you put a large amount of sugar (carbohydrate) into the body, the hormone insulin will lower blood sugar to normal in many ways. One of them is converting sugar (carbohydrates) into fat. In other words, eating a lot of sweets increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and obesity. Therefore, it is necessary to limit sweets in the diet. Patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy should eat whole grains, potatoes, brown rice, limit sugar from sweets, candies, and carbonated drinks.
4. Conclusion
“Think of diet and nutrition as an orchestra, all components should be balanced for optimal heart health” - Walter Willett, M.D, University of the College's Chair of the Major in Nutrition Harvard Public Health once said. A healthy diet combined with exercise should be applied not only to patients with chronic ischemic cardiomyopathy but also to healthy individuals. Protect your heart health from small things today!
Along with a healthy diet, a regular and moderate exercise routine also significantly improves myocardial ischemia. Especially to prevent the risk of a heart attack, the patient should walk every day, because this will help develop the cardiac collateral circulation. Ideally, you should walk at least 5 times / 1 week, should walk 30-40 minutes / day, then gradually increase the time depending on your strength.
In addition, to monitor and prevent dangerous complications of cardiovascular diseases, patients should choose periodic cardiovascular health checkup packages.
Currently, the Cardiovascular Center of Vinmec Times City International General Hospital is considered one of the centers with modern equipment, on par with the most prestigious hospitals in the world. The Center has a comprehensive cooperation program with the Heart Institute - Bach Mai Hospital, the Cardiology Department of Hanoi Medical University, Paris Decartes University - Georges Pompidou Hospital (France), the University of Pennsylvania (USA). ,... The Cardiology Center's team of experts includes experienced professors, doctors, specialists, and masters in the field of medical treatment, surgery, cardiac catheterization. intervention and application of advanced techniques in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
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