The following are broadly accepted recommendations for heart
health:
-
Maintain an active lifestyle and a healthy weight
-
Meet dietary guidelines and consume a balanced diet rich in fruits and
vegetables
-
Avoid active and passive smoking
-
Keep your blood pressure in check
-
Eat a healthy diet low in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium
-
Manage diabetes, if you have it
If you find it difficult to meet dietary guidelines, consider taking a heart
health supplement or fortified food.
Dietary changes favourably influences all risk factor
-
Reduce total fat intake to 30% or less of total energy intake
-
Reduce intake of saturated fat to 1/3 of total fat intake (replacement with
unsaturated fats from vegetable and marine sources)
-
Reduce intake of cholesterol to less than 300 mg a day
-
Increase intake of fresh fruits, cereals and vegetables rich in vitamin C and
E, folic acid and carotenoids to at least five servings a day
-
Eat fish, preferably fatty fish, at least once a week
-
Reduce total calorie intake for weight reduction
-
Reduce salt and alcohol use when blood pressure is high
If you find it difficult to meet dietary guidelines, consider taking a heart
health supplement or fortified food.
