Patient/caregiver was educated on guidelines for heart healthy diet as follows:
- Heart healthy diet essentially deals with observing strict moderation with intake of all the dietary sources at risk to enhance the blood pressure and worsen the heart function, such as, sodium/salt and cholesterol/fats.
- Heart healthy diet plan deals with promotion of intake of all the dietary sources that potentially are known to improve blood pressure control and promote better cardiac function, such as, low fat and reduced salt foods.
- Sodium has the tendency to hold and retain fluid in the body, thus increasing the blood volume. Increased blood volume will exert more pressure on the blood vessels and contribute to elevated blood pressure. Increased consumption of unhealthy fats can increase risk for fatty deposits in the blood vessels, obstruct free flow of blood along the blood vessels, and contribute to increased risk for atherosclerosis & hypertension.
- Heart healthy diet, with limitations on sodium and fat intake are recommended for individuals with hypertension, atherosclerosis, heart failure, history of heart attack, compromised kidney function, and history of stroke, to help with better control of blood pressure numbers, improve cardiac function, and prevent any extra workload on the vital organs. Heart healthy diet can help prevent any risk for further compromise in the function of these vital organs.
