Foods high in salt, sugar, saturated fats, and alcohol can worsen heart failure conditions and are detrimental to patients’ health.
According to Dr. Nguyen Anh Duy Tung from the Nutrihome Nutrition Clinic System, in addition to taking medications as prescribed, heart failure patients should pay attention to their daily diet. A scientifically balanced diet that avoids harmful substances for the heart can help patients control symptoms and slow disease progression.
Salty foods: Heart failure patients should avoid excess salt as it can lead to high blood pressure. Dr. Duy Tung cites studies showing that up to 75% of heart failure patients have a history of hypertension. Continuing to consume salty foods can accelerate heart failure progression. Foods that heart failure patients should avoid include salted dried products (dried fish, dried beef, etc.), industrial sauces (BBQ sauce, sweet and sour sauce, teriyaki sauce, chili sauce, ketchup, etc.), canned foods, fermented foods (pickled), and fast foods.
Refined grains: Consuming more than 350 grams of refined grains daily increases the risk of cardiovascular disease compared to those who consume less than 50 grams daily. Refined grains are low in fiber, and excessive consumption can raise blood pressure, further worsening heart failure. Foods containing refined grains include noodles, pasta, rice noodles, vermicelli, and pho.
Processed meats: These contain high levels of sodium, saturated fats, cholesterol, and trans fats that are harmful to heart health. This category includes sausages, cold cuts, bacon, canned meats, and frozen meats.
Whole milk: The high saturated fat content in whole milk can elevate bad cholesterol levels in the blood, leading to atherosclerosis and worsening heart failure. Patients should avoid low-fat yogurt and products made from this type of milk, such as cheese, yogurt, and whole butter.
Eating high-sugar foods is not good for the heart. (Image: Freepik).
Sweets and sugary drinks: These are high in sugar, which can raise blood sugar levels and promote inflammatory responses in blood vessels and heart tissue, accelerating heart failure progression.
Fried foods: Rich in calories and high in saturated fats and salt, these can increase the risk of high blood pressure and atherosclerosis. Excessive consumption of these foods can lead to weight gain, putting pressure on the heart and promoting the progression of heart failure.
Alcohol: Excessive alcohol consumption is associated with the risk of hypertension, alcoholic cardiomyopathy, or cancer, all of which are underlying conditions that can accelerate heart failure progression. However, moderate alcohol consumption may offer benefits and slow the progression of heart failure. Patients can safely consume alcohol within limits (below 28 grams per day for women and 56 grams per day for men).
Heart failure patients should eat more fruits and vegetables, lean meats, and plant proteins from soybeans. Some natural extracts like GDL-5 derived from South American sugarcane can help regulate HMG-CoA reductase activity and activate cell receptors, thereby supporting the reduction of blood lipid levels, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular diseases.
Dr. Duy Tung also advises heart failure patients to avoid excess fluid in the body. When the body retains too much water, the heart must work harder to pump blood through the vascular system. When the heart is weakened, this can exacerbate the disease and increase the risk of complications such as edema, leading to swelling in areas like the legs, feet, and abdomen. This condition is known as congestive heart failure, one of the dangerous variations of heart failure caused by excess fluid.
