If you have heart disease, this snack can be a really good choice to eat.
The American Heart Association says that almost half of all grown-ups in the US have heart problems. Heart disease is the top reason for death among men, women, and many different ethnic groups.
These numbers might seem scary, but heart issues can be handled with help from your doctor and changes to how you live. Your diet is a good way to begin. While planning heart-friendly meals is not too hard, picking healthy snacks can be tough. That’s why, if you have heart problems, having good snacks around is really important.
Sure, here is the top snack that’s good for your heart if you have heart disease shared by a heart doctor or cardiologist.
Top Snack for Individuals with Heart Disease
A snack is a small amount of food that you eat between meals.
Dr. Estelle Jean, who is a heart doctor at MedStar Health, says that if you have heart disease, a good snack choice is nuts. Nuts have lots of good things like vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. These can help lower the chance of having heart problems. Studies have even found that folks who eat nuts often are less likely to pass away from heart disease or have heart attacks compared to those who don’t eat nuts much.
In a big research study about nuts and heart health, they discovered that eating peanuts, tree nuts (like almonds and cashews), and walnuts often can lower the chance of having heart problems. Walnuts are the best choice among these nuts. Even though peanut butter is also good for your heart, it didn’t show the same benefits as the other nuts in the study. So, if you had to pick just one nut, go for walnuts.
Other Ways You Can Control Heart Disease Or Cardiovascular Issues As Suggested By Cardiologist
Exercise regularly
Dr. Jean says not moving your body is really bad for your heart. To help your heart, you should do around 2 and a half hours of medium-level exercise each week and do strength exercises two times a week. If you don’t move enough, you could be more likely to have heart problems, high blood pressure, and stroke.
If you have a heart problem and want to begin a new exercise plan, make sure to talk to your doctor first.
Get enough sleep
Many research studies have revealed a strong connection between sleep and the health of your heart. Dr. Jean explains that both insomnia (trouble sleeping) and sleep apnea (breathing problems during sleep) are connected to heart issues like heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure. For adults, it’s suggested to aim for 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night to keep your heart healthy. If you have sleep apnea, it’s really important to get the right treatment.
Don’t smoke
Smoking is really bad for your heart. If you already have a heart problem, smoking can make it even worse. Dr. Jean says that women who smoke have a 25% higher chance of getting heart disease than men who smoke. If you smoke right now, the best thing you can do for your heart is to stop smoking. If you quit smoking for a whole year, your risk of heart disease can go down by 50%.
Skip or Avoid the processed foods
Dr. Jean says that to keep your heart healthy, it’s important to eat a balanced diet. This means eating a lot of natural plant foods that haven’t been changed much. She also mentions that eating too many processed foods can make it more likely for you to have a heart attack or stroke.
Check on your mental health
Poor mental health can harm your physical health. If you’re often worried, sad, or very stressed, it might hurt your heart. Dr. Jean says that feeling anxious or depressed could make you more likely to have heart problems. Your heart might not be healthy if you’re always stressed or feeling alone. Stress could make your blood pressure go up, and that could raise your chances of having a heart attack or stroke.
Finally, don’t forget to visit your doctor regularly. Doctors are experts who know you and your health condition well. They can give you the best advice about what food to eat and how to live in a way that’s good for you.
Sources
About 50% of adults in the United States are impacted by cardiovascular diseases, according to data from the American Heart Association (accessed on June 27, 2023), and this information is further supported by statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (accessed on June 27, 2023). These findings align with the observations made by Dr. Estelle Jean, a cardiologist affiliated with MedStar Health.