Heart health (2024)

FAQs

Which drink is best for the heart? ›

Water is the drink of choice for heart health. If you're thirsty, drink water.

A study published online July 6, 2023, by the European Heart Journal suggests that eating enough of six types of food common in these diets is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. The six food categories are fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, fish, and dairy products.

A CT coronary angiogram can reveal plaque buildup and identify blockages in the arteries, which can lead to a heart attack. Prior to the test, a contrast dye is injected into the arm to make the arteries more visible. The test typically takes 30 minutes to complete.

The 3-Day Cardiac Diet sets strict limits on foods you can eat during specific meals. Meals generally consist of a protein source paired with fruits, vegetables, toast, or saltine crackers. Salt and pepper are the only permitted spices. For dessert, vanilla ice cream is allowed once per day during dinner.

Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries are jam-packed with nutrients that play a central role in heart health. Berries are also rich in antioxidants like anthocyanins, which protect against oxidative stress and inflammation that can contribute to the development of heart disease.

Potassium in bananas is good for your heart health and blood pressure. A medium-sized banana will provide around 320-400 mg of potassium, which meets about 10% of your daily potassium needs. Potassium helps your body maintain a healthy heart and blood pressure. In addition, bananas are low in sodium.

There is no fast way to unclog arteries once plaque has built up. The best evidence for stabilizing and regressing plaque is with a combination of cholesterol-lowering medications, such as statins along with healthy lifestyle habits.

Optimal Vitamin K₂ intake is crucial to avoid the calcium plaque buildup of atherosclerosis, thus keeping the risk and rate of calcification as low as possible. Matrix GLA protein (MGP)—found in the tissues of the heart, kidneys, and lungs—plays a dominant role in vascular calcium metabolism.

Artery drug 'feasible' in humans after mice tests

The drug Trodusquemine was given to mice on a high fat diet in 2017 and was shown to "melt away" the fat inside arteries that can cause heart attacks and strokes. Follow-up tests carried out this year on human white blood cells found the same success.

Mediterranean Diet

It is a diet low in red meat, sugar, and saturated fat and high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, legumes, olive oil, and flavorful herbs and spices. Fish and seafood consumption is encouraged a couple of times a week, with poultry, eggs, cheese, and yogurt in moderation.

Does oatmeal remove plaque arteries? ›

Eating oats can help significantly reduce atherosclerosis risk factors, including high total and LDL (bad) cholesterol ( 24 , 25 ). Oats also contain antioxidants called avenanthramides, which may help inhibit inflammatory proteins called cytokines and adhesion molecules. This may help prevent atherosclerosis ( 24 ).

Results: Recent (2000-2021) studies have shown that regular coffee consumption is associated with a decreased risk of developing hypertension, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation.

Staying hydrated

When the body is dehydrated, the amount of blood flowing through the body is reduced, so the heart has to work harder to stabilize blood flow. A 2017 study found that a 335-milliliter drink of water could reduce resting heart rate over a 30-minute period. This decline continued for another 30 minutes.

Beetroot juice stands among the most heart healthy juices. The high nitrate content of beet juice actually widens the blood vessels when it enters the body and studies suggest that blood pressure is lowered within 1 hour of ingestion.

“A good diet, exercise and controlling your blood pressure and cholesterol all help promote a strong heart and prevent heart disease. For people who already have a weak heart, low sodium intake, proper exercise and compliance with medications can all prevent more problems.