Dietary Regulation for Cardiovascular Disease Patients
In preventing and managing cardiovascular diseases, proper diet is extremely important. Patients must strictly pay attention to the following points:
1. Control cholesterol intake. Studies show that people with high cholesterol have a coronary heart disease incidence five times higher than normal individuals. Therefore, cardiovascular patients should limit consumption of high-cholesterol foods such as animal brain, internal organs, egg yolks, and crab roe.
2. Control both quality and quantity of fat intake. Saturated fatty acids raise blood cholesterol levels, while polyunsaturated fatty acids lower cholesterol. Thus, limit intake of saturated fats like lard and beef tallow.
3. Eat more foods rich in vitamin C, such as vegetables and fruits. Vitamin C increases vascular elasticity and protects blood vessels.
4. Increase dietary fiber intake. Fiber binds to cholesterol and prevents its absorption by the body.
5. Limit salt intake. High-salt diets increase cardiovascular disease risk. Those with mild hypertension or family history of hypertension should keep daily salt intake below 5 grams. For those with higher blood pressure or heart failure, daily salt intake should be limited to 1–2 grams.
6. Eat smaller meals more frequently; avoid binge eating. Avoid eating too much at dinner, as this may trigger acute myocardial infarction.
Cardiovascular disease patients should also quit smoking, limit alcohol, avoid strong tea, and consider the following herbal dietary therapies:
1. Hawthorn: Eating 1–2 hawthorns daily helps lower blood pressure. Suitable for hypertension, hyperlipidemia, or coronary heart disease.
2. Garlic: Its active components inhibit the development of atherosclerosis, lower lipids, and prevent blood clotting. Should be consumed regularly.
3. Seaweed and kelp: Experiments show both lower lipids and blood pressure, delay atherosclerosis progression. Coronary heart disease patients should consume regularly.
4. Lotus seeds: Calm the mind, nourish spirit, tonify spleen and kidneys. Beneficial for palpitations, irritability, insomnia, and vivid dreams.
5. Longan flesh: Tonifies heart and spleen, enriches blood and qi.
6. Corn silk: Boil corn silk and drink the decoction to lower blood pressure and promote urination.
6. Others: Silver ear fungus, black fungus, bamboo shoots, and straw mushrooms are all suitable choices for cardiovascular disease patients.