What should people with heart failure eat?

        Heart failure is a medical condition in which cardiac output is insufficient to meet the body’s need for oxygen in all living situations.

Heart failure is a medical condition in which cardiac output is insufficient to meet the body’s need for oxygen in all living situations. Treatment for heart failure depends on the stage of the disease. In this article, we would like to introduce the principles of eating for patients with heart failure for readers to apply when necessary.

* Heart failure has 4 stages:

Stage 1: manifests only dyspnea on exertion, rapid pulse > 90 beats/min.

Stage 2: Frequent shortness of breath, enlarged liver, edema of the lower extremities.

Stage 3: The above symptoms are very clear, sometimes there is ascites, pleural effusion, but there is a possibility of recovery.

Stage 4: Heart failure is no longer reversible.

* Principles of menu construction.

* Most importantly reduce salt and water:

• Water: Amount of water to drink outside meals = 24h urine volume + 300ml

• Salt: limited to reduce edema, reduce the amount of blood circulation, the kidneys increase the excretion of waste products of thermogenesis.

Reduce energy: the energy of the diet should not exceed 1,500kcal to ease the digestive system and reduce the work of the heart when nutrients are absorbed into the blood.

Reduce the amount of protein: Protein increases basal metabolism, increases blood flow and fatigues the heart. Do not eat too much protein. Use easily absorbed protein (eggs, milk are better than meat).

Glucose is the source of energy in the diet: it is very good for the heart muscle, especially glucose, it also works quite well in coronary heart disease or arrhythmia. Using a lot of simple sugars that are easily absorbed like molasses, sweet fruit is very good.

It is recommended to use alkaline foods that are rich in potassium, a very good diuretic such as milk, vegetables, and fruits to combat the acidosis of the body.

Do not use raw vegetables that cause a lot of bloating such as vegetables, beans, fermented foods. (When the abdomen is distended, it will push the diaphragm up and affect the heart.)

Limit foods that stimulate nerves such as spices, alcohol, tea, and coffee. Avoid foods that are difficult to digest (meat that has been stored for a long time, cakes with eggs, canned goods, salted meat).

Note: Do not drink during meals but drink outside of meals. After eating, rest for 30-40 minutes. Meals should be far from bedtime. Before and after eating, there must be time for the patient to rest.