Nutritional advice for cardiovascular disease

Lifestyle and diet have a large part to play both in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Changing the way you eat, from cutting out saturated fat and increasing omega-3 fatty acids and monounsaturated fats to eating more fruits and vegetables, can make a big difference to your health and well-being.

Cardiovascular disease covers a range of disorders in which strain is put on your arteries, other blood vessels, or the heart, leading to narrowed or blocked arteries and preventing the heart from pumping blood efficiently.

The table here defines each cardiovascular disorder and outlines the main dietary and lifestyle changes you can make to treat the condition.

In addition to the advice given here, it is very important to give up smoking if you are a smoker; avoid exposure to cigarette smoke; limit your intake of alcohol (or avoid it completely if your triglyceride levels are high); lose weight if you are overweight; and increase your level of physical activity.

Disorder	What is it?	How you can help
Hyperlipidaemia	A combination of high levels of cholesterol, LDL, and/or triglycerides in the blood, which can lead to narrowing of the blood vessels and clogged arteries. If untreated, you could develop angina and eventually suffer a heart attack.	Reduce dietary saturated fat, trans fats, and cholesterol Increase monounsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids Avoid alcohol if triglycerides are high
High blood pressure (hypertension)	Persistent blood pressure above 140mmHg (systolic) and 90mmHg (diastolic), which may increase the risk of most other cardiovascular diseases.	Reduce sodium and alcohol intake Increase dietary intake of fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products
Coronary artery disease	This occurs when the arteries surrounding the heart become clogged and narrowed by plaque (deposits of lipids such as cholesterol). This build-up is known as atherosclerosis, and can restrict blood flow to the heart, potentially causing angina or a heart attack.	If you have hyperlipidaemia, see list Eat whole grains for magnesium and fruits and vegetables for potassium Get regular exercise; limit alcohol Take one low-dose aspirin daily
Angina	Chest pain that occurs when the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygenated blood due to the narrowing of the coronary arteries. It is triggered by exercise or stress.	Consult your doctor before starting an exercise regime if you are over 50 Reduce stress and saturated fat
Heart attack	A heart attack (myocardial infarction or MI) occurs when one or more of the coronary arteries become blocked by a combination of plaque (deposits of lipids such as cholesterol) and/or a blood clot (coronary thrombosis).	Eat a low-fat diet and reduce dietary saturated fat, trans fats, and cholesterol Increase monounsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids
Stroke	A stroke can be caused by a blood clot blocking a blood vessel in the brain; by a blood vessel breaking (interrupting the flow of blood to an area of the brain and destroying brain cells); or by bleeding into the brain from a broken blood vessel. Stroke can lead to a loss of abilities, such as speech, movement, and memory.	If you have hyperlipidaemia, see the entry for advice If you have high blood pressure, see the entry for advice Anticoagulation medication may be prescribed for high-risk patients
Heart failure	Heart failure occurs when there is a reduced efficiency of the heart, which is defined as the amount of blood pumped by the heart in one minute. The disorder is characterized by the pooling of fluid in the extremities, especially in the legs and ankles, sodium retention, organ failure, and undernourishment caused by loss of appetite.	Reduce your sodium intake Increase protein-rich foods if you are underweight Avoid stress A medically supervised exercise programme can be beneficial