Adherence to the treatment along with lifestyle modifications critical to beat heart failure
Indian cuisine is supposed to be on top of the list among the countries with regards to most mouthwatering flavors in food, consisting of myriad variety of spices, whole range of sweets or oily food which at times compromises nutritious elements in food intake of individuals. The preponderance of all kinds of global and Indian food outlets have led to dramatic alteration in food consumption habits of Indians. The propensity to consume unhealthy spicy or oily food items makes people susceptible to various diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity which can lead to heart failure. Indigenous dietary and nutritious habits offer a lot of hope to people to combat the rising menace of heart failure. The available data indicates a rise in heart failure mortality rate to more than twenty percent, if left untreated and estimates suggest at least 1% Indians are suffering with heart failure. It is more worrisome in India as patients ten younger than the global average present in the hospitals for heart failure treatment.
Doctors
have repeatedly emphasized the role of educating common people about
genesis of heart failure and the role of lifestyle management to
successfully face the cardiovascular diseases.
In an endeavor to spread awareness about heart failure and its management, The Times of India launched Beat Heart Failure in partnership with Novartis. The campaign aims to apprise common citizens about the building blocks of simple strategies comprising of medication, lifestyle management and counselling to combat this pandemic of sorts, as the cardiologists call it.
Heart failure is the gradual weakening of heart muscle leading to an inadequate supply of blood and nutrients to the organs of the body, thereby impairing their functions. It presents with a variety of symptoms such as gradually increasing difficulty in breathing and fatigue in carrying out routine activities that was not felt before, chest pain, swelling in the legs and abdomen, numbness in face, hands, or severe headache without any known cause. The patient may also complain of difficulties in sleeping in the supine position, or while sleeping the patient suddenly wakes up gasping for breath.
The incidence and prevalence of several risk factors that include coronary artery disease, associated comorbidities, behavioral or lifestyle and hereditary causes play a significant role in the development and progression of the disease. Depending on the stage of the heart disease, treatment is available. The doctors suggest guideline-directed medical therapy in the early stages of the disease. The medicines now available to manage heart failure are wonder drugs as they have shown tremendous results in the management of heart failure. The patients should stick to their medications as guided by their physician. Self or peer prescription is an invitation to reversal of gains, invitation to re- hospitalization and adverse consequences in general.
Many metabolic disorders such as hypertension pave the way for heart attack. Dietitians recommend a Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) that comprises foods rich in vegetables, nuts fruits and whole grains and very low number of sweets, fat, and red meat intake. It helps to regulate the metabolic rate of the body and reduce blood pressure. Food containing high fiber help improve digestion and thereby increases blood circulation in the body.
To have a balanced diet, the patients can plan a healthy living plate and that may look like a rainbow meal. Half of the plate filled with colorful and variety of vegetables and fruits. One fourth of the plate containing whole grains such as whole wheat, barley, berries, quinoa, oats, brown rice. And One-fourth of the plate with protein such as yogurt, collard greens, beans, peas, nuts, salads. The plant oils such as sunflower, coconut, olive oil is rich in heart healthy fats, but usage should be in moderation. Avoid sugary drinks and limit milk and dairy products to one to two servings per day.
Almonds are also considered as healthy food for the heart containing unsaturated fatty acids. Oats, walnuts, legumes, flaxseeds are rich in omega 3 fatty acids which nourish the heart and keep it healthy. Watermelons, tomatoes, berries, cantaloupe, strawberries, pomegranate, cauliflower, broccoli, oranges, lemon are full of antioxidants and help keep the heart healthy. Spinach helps to provide oxygen to the cardiac muscle and keeps them strong.
One alternative can be light breakfast, eat baked and light puffed rice and ‘channa’ (chickpea) during the day as snacks and have a light dinner. Always remain active with exercises as directed.
People generally tend to buy packaged food products which are labeled ‘nonfat’ from the market but as a word of caution, the fat in these products are replaced with unhealthy sugars that can cause diabetes and eventually heart attack. Heart failure warriors tell us that always look at the labels of food items in the market to know the ingredients. The fluid intake should be limited as guided by the physician to avoid fluid retention. Cessation of smoking and alcohol is also important to prevent heart damage.
Remember, heart failure isn’t about stopping. It’s about starting life in a new way.