Making changes to your diet after a heart attack
can have a huge impact. A heart-healthy diet is one of the most effective ways
to keep your body in good shape and prevent future (heart attack) events.
Consult with your doctor or nutritionist for specific guidelines for adjusting
your diet after a heart attack. You should mainly focus on reducing your intake
of saturated fats, sugar and sodium.
We are rounding up the top foods that you should
avoid after a heart attack:
Fried Foods- After a heart attack, reducing your blood cholesterol is one of the best
ways for lowering your risk of a future event. Cut down on fried foods since
most restaurants fry their foods in oils that contain saturated fats, which can
lead to high blood cholesterol. Use healthier fats like vegetable, olive and
nut oils. According to the American Heart Association, saturated fat should
make up no more than 6 percent of your daily caloric intake. Limiting intake of
saturated and avoiding trans fat is the key to a happy ticker.
Sugary Baked Goods- Sweet treats often contain saturated fats that increase your blood
cholesterol. Additionally, you must be aware that refined sugar can send your
blood sugar levels skyrocketing. If you have a massive sweet tooth and can't do
without sugar, switch to fresh fruit, or bake your own cookies or cakes which
will provide you the flexibility to choose healthy ingredients like natural
sugar substitutes and whole grains.
Fatty Red Meat- Red meat isn't considered a heart-healthy food as often red meats are
loaded with extra fat that can increase your cholesterol. It is okay to love a
steak, but aim for a smaller serving and trim off as much fat as you can before
cooking. Learn how to read the labels, which can help you shop for
meats/purchase cuts with the least amount of fat.
Salted Nuts- Although nuts are good sources of good-for-you fats, but it's better that
you switch from salted to unsalted ones. Learn how to read nutrition labels so
that you can always choose unsalted or low-sodium versions. The best way to
control blood pressure is by limiting your daily sodium intake to 1500 mg or
less.
Processed Meats- Processed meats, like sausage, hot dogs can raise your BP and your risk
of another heart attack since they are loaded with sodium and nitrates. High
blood pressure is especially dangerous because there aren't any visible
symptoms. Consider healthy alternatives in consultation with your nutritionist.
Although an individual having a heart attack is
still talking and breathing, but he/she needs to go to the hospital right away
since heart attack increases the risk for going into cardiac arrest. The best
way to restore the life of such a victim is by administering the lifesaving CPR procedure. CPR is an emergency procedure that uses chest compressions and
rescue breaths, and if performed in the first few minutes of cardiac arrest, it
can double or triple a person's chance of survival.
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