Dr. Tran Thu Cuc - Department of Cardiovascular Resuscitation, 108 Central Military Hospital said that heart failure is a complex chronic disease and is also one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Controlling the amount of sodium in your daily diet plays an important role in reducing the burden on the heart, helping people live well and prevent complications.
Reasons why people with heart failure need to eat less sodium
The causes of heart failure are very diverse: coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, myocarditis, diabetes or kidney disease. An important factor that makes the disease worse is the amount of sodium in the diet. Eating too much salt causes the body to store water, increase blood pressure and make the heart and kidneys work harder. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that each person consume only 1,500 - 2,300 mg of sodium per day.
Sodium is available in seafood, red meat, poultry, milk and many vegetables. However, salt and processed foods are still the largest source of supply.
Suggestions for reducing salt in daily meals
Limit packaged foods, processed meats, pasta, seasoned rice, salad dressing, cookies, snacks.
When buying food, read the label carefully to choose a product with a "low sodium" score.
Reduce salt when cooking. Using lemongrass, ginger, onions, and herbs makes the dish more flavorful without a lot of salt.
Replace fish sauce, saute with natural sour flavors such as lemon, fruit vinegar or coconut milk to enhance the flavor.
How to Maintain a Low-Sodium Diet
To adapt, it is necessary to have a balanced menu and patiently change habits. The adaptation period is usually 6 - 8 weeks. Step by step reducing salt every day will help the taste gradually get used to the bland taste.
Eat a variety of foods, increase fiber from vegetables, beans, whole grains and fruits to aid digestion, control blood sugar and reduce cholesterol. Recommended fiber intake: 25 - 35 g per day.
Limit drinks containing stimulants because they can disrupt the heart rate.
Consult your doctor about the amount of water you should drink, especially when there are signs of difficulty breathing or edema.
Persistence for cardiovascular health
A low-sodium diet not only helps people with heart failure stabilize their health but also improves the quality of life, preventing dangerous complications. Although the adjustment process can be difficult, perseverance will bring lasting benefits to both the physical and mental health.
