Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a chronic medical condition where the heart is unable to pump blood effectively. It occurs when either one of the heart’s two ventricles, or both, cannot pump an adequate volume of blood. This disease can be fatal if left untreated. Left-sided CHF and right-sided CHF are the two types of CHF that can occur. If detected, treatments for congestive heart failure should commence without delay.
Though, there is no particular set diet for the patients of this medical condition, doctors advise certain dietary changes as part of the treatments for CHF. A few simple dietary guidelines that can be followed by those who suffer from this condition include the following:
1. Reduce sodium intake
Among the main dietary guidelines that doctors recommend is the reduction of sodium intake. This is because it causes fluid retention in the body which then affects the ability of the heart to pump blood in the correct way.
2. Cutting back on alcohol consumption
Alcohol consumption should be stopped. If not, it should be limited to a large extent as it is not only bad for the system, it also decreases the potency of the medication in multiple cases. This can then slow down the treatment for congestive heart failure.
3. Control over cholesterol levels
It is pertinent for a patient to keep the body’s cholesterol levels in control. For this, there should be a reduction in the consumption of food items containing saturated fats. If food consisting of saturated fats is eaten in excess, then the treatments for congestive heart failure will not be effective.
4. Careful perusal of food labels
Patients of congestive heart failure should read the labels of food products they wish to purchase carefully. This is to check the quantity of sodium that the item contains.
5. Replacement of seasonings
The regular salt and seasonings should be replaced by healthier substitutes. Care should be taken that these substitutes have a low amount of sodium.
6. Care while eating outside
If patients are having meals out of the home, then they should be extra cautious of the food they order. Salad dressings have salt and sodium, so they should be avoided. Patients need to be sure that the food they have ordered will not impact their health negatively in any way and can often ask their server for recommendations.
Fluid retention in the body needs to be in check otherwise the treatments for congestive heart failure that are underway will not have the desired effects and the condition might get worse. Patients need to weigh themselves daily. If there is a sudden weight gain compared to the previous day, the doctor needs to be consulted. It should be noted that patients should use only one weighing scale on which they weigh themselves each day and they must maintain a record of the daily weight by date.
A patient undergoing treatments for congestive heart failure cannot exercise as it is not permitted. Simultaneously, weight gain is not acceptable for such patients. Hence, all care needs to be taken that the diet is under control and is as recommended by the doctor or dietician.