Heart failure is a more common condition than you think. Anyone living with heart disease can experience it. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, coronary heart disease is the most common type of heart disease, killing more than 370,000 people annually. In the United States alone, someone has a heart attack every 43 seconds.
Heart attacks and other medical conditions damage the heart, so that over time it cannot pump blood properly through the body, which brings on the added risks of heart failure. Although there is no cure, taking your prescribed medication and making a few lifestyle changes can help improve your heart health.
• A good place to start is looking at what you eat. People with heart failure need to consume plenty of fiber and restrict their salt and fluid intake. Avoid heavily processed foods and focus on eating vegetables and fruit, healthy whole grains, plus a variety of protein sources (beans, legumes, low-fat dairy, lean meat, poultry, and fish).
• Together with healthy eating, exercise is one of the best remedies available. It improves blood flow and helps strengthen the heart. If there’s an activity you enjoy or want to try, it’s a good idea to talk it over with your doctor first. Or ask for recommended exercises. Start slowly and gradually increase your activity as you become more comfortable.
