Heart failure after a heart attack may be reduced with Mediterranean-style diet. There have already been numerous studies demonstrating the benefits of the Mediterranean diet, which consists of fruits and vegetables, fish, whole grains, minimal sugar, and a glass of wine.
It’s a known fact that people who experience heart failure after a heart attack should be consuming a heart-healthy diet. Researchers have found the style of eating that helps reduce inflammation after a heart attack. Unhealthy eating, on the other hand, can promote inflammation, causing further damage to the heart.
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In the study, mice that were fed a Mediterranean-style diet had improved heart health, reduced inflammation, and reduced kidney damage, whereas mice that were on a Western-style diet had greater kidney damage and inflammation.
This study is yet another example that the Mediterranean diet can go a long way in improving heart health, especially for patients recovering from a heart attack.
Treatment guidelines for heart failure
Living a healthy lifestyle is highly important when it comes to treating heart failure. This is because lifestyle habits play a large role in your heart health. Healthy lifestyle habits include not smoking, losing excess weight, exercising regularly, minimizing alcohol consumption, eating a healthy diet, reducing blood pressure and cholesterol, and reducing stress.
Along with lifestyle habits, your doctor may also prescribe some medications in order to promote heart health. Such medications include ACE inhibitors, aldosterone antagonists, angiotensin receptor blockers, beta blockers, digoxin, diuretics, and isosorbide dinitrate/hydralazine. They work to lower blood pressure, relax blood vessels, release built-up fluid, slow your heart rate, and allow the heart to beat stronger. Depending on your specific needs, your doctor will recommend a specific kind of medication.
Emily Lunardo studied medical sociology at York University with a strong focus on the social determinants of health and mental illness. She is a registered Zumba instructor, as well as a Canfit Pro trainer, who teaches fitness classes on a weekly basis. Emily practices healthy habits in her own life as well as helps others with their own personal health goals. Emily joined Bel Marra Health as a health writer in 2013.
