Atrial fibrillation is a condition that occurs when normal rhythmic pumping of the upper heart’s chambers, known as the atria, breaks down. This affects the normal heart rate, resulting in a fast and often irregular rate. Upper East Side atrial fibrillation is not life-threatening, but it increases the risks of congestive heart failure, stroke, and blood clots, emphasizing the need for effective treatment and management.
After an AFib diagnosis, your doctor may prescribe medication. They could also recommend physical activity and measures to manage your weight and other preexisting conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure. This helps keep AFib episodes at bay, which you can further address by having a practical diet regimen. Knowing what to eat or avoid can improve your heart health and prevent AFib. Among the dietary tips to consider in your AFib management quests includes:
What to eat
A balanced meal rich in proteins, unsaturated fats, and complex carbohydrates is recommended. Among the items to eat more often includes:
- Whole grains
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Legumes
- Olive oil
You can complement the items with other nutritious options but ensure you are not eating them that much. Among the common foods to eat on a less frequent basis includes:
- Chicken/turkey
- Eggs
- Dairy
- Fish
- Nuts/seeds
Plant-based diets are ideally the go-to when at risk of heart-associated conditions. This is because they are rich in vitamins, fiber, and minerals that help improve cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and manage weight.
What to avoid
Anything that is not heart-healthy should be avoided. Nonetheless, you can occasionally quench your sweet tooth with a few treats. Among the foods you can take but only rarely includes:
- Fatty, processed meats
- Refined carbohydrates
- Highly processed foods
- Items with added sugars
It would be excellent if you could cut them all together, but a rare bite will not cause much harm. Nonetheless, there are items you should avoid. Among the items to avoid include:
Fat
Saturated fat, readily available in items such as red meat, butter, and cheese, to mention a few, is not good for your heart or overall health. Such diets increase your risk of obesity and high blood pressure. This puts you at a higher risk of AFib episodes.
Salt
You probably are familiar with the dangers of sodium to your heart health. Sodium elevates your blood pressure. In return, hypertension (high blood pressure) increases the risk of developing AFib or experiencing more episodes if you have already been diagnosed with the condition. Among the simple hacks to reduce salt intake is avoiding processed and frozen foods. This is since they use more salt as preservatives and flavoring agents. You can also substitute salt with fresh spices and herbs for flavor.
Sugar
Elevated blood sugar increases the chances of AFib episodes. Managing diabetes is among the measures you need to take to keep AFib attacks at bay. If you do not have diabetes, you are not in the clear. You should avoid sugary diets like soda, ensuring your blood glucose is at good levels.
Following your situation, your doctor can recommend further dietary measures. For instance, they can advise you to avoid diets rich in Vitamin K, especially if blood thinners are included in your prescription. You might also have to stick to a gluten-free diet, especially if you have celiac disease, are gluten intolerant, or are allergic to wheat. This is to avoid inflammation that could affect the vagus nerve, impacting your heart and making you vulnerable to AFib. Limiting alcohol and caffeine intake also helps.
While not life-threatening in itself, any heart-related condition can be overwhelming. This emphasizes the need to work with a professional, limiting the stress, especially since you will not be second-guessing everything. Visit Upper East Side Cardiology today for all your atrial fibrillation and heart-related concerns.
Wellness Care Health Blog 