Dr. Thanawat Benjanuwatara, a cardiologist, and Dr. Thanida Uearareejit, a specialist in nutrition, agree that diet helps control heart disease symptoms or special needs should be appropriately prepared to meet the specific health requirements. This involves reducing salt and fat (Omega 3 and 9), which are crucial factors that should be controlled to maintain the heart and vascular system and prevent conditions where arteries lose elasticity or increase the risk of blockages.
Risk factors for heart disease in coronary artery disease can be categorized into two groups:
Non-modifiable risk factors include increased age, family history of coronary artery disease, and certain ethnicities.
Modifiable and treatable risk factors can reduce the likelihood of developing the disease. If already affected, these factors can mitigate severity, delay progression, or potentially be cured. This group requires emphasis.
Diseases that can lead to coronary artery disease, which require caution include high blood pressure, diabetes, high blood lipids, and obesity, all of which involve ‘diet.’
Patients with high blood pressure should avoid extremely salty foods such as pickles, dried foods, canned foods, processed foods, and broths.
Patients with diabetes should avoid foods like rice, flour, and sugar, which impact blood sugar levels.
And the group of people with high blood lipids is also related to diet.
Therefore, selecting the appropriate diet is crucial.
Foods that promote, prevent, and slow down coronary artery disease
Reduce salt: Do not consume more than 1 teaspoon of salt per day, so it’s advisable not to add extra seasoning to food.
Reduce fat: Decrease the use of cooking oil, opt for vegetable oils, and limit oil usage to no more than 6 teaspoons per day.
Reduce sugar: Avoid consuming sugars and refrain from adding sugar to food or drinks.
Consume sufficient fiber, vegetables, and fruits to help obstruct the absorption of fats and promote heart health.
Many may think that patient meals aren’t very tasty. Check out special need meal menus for heart disease patients offered by Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai, complete with recipes to try at home as per convenience.
Recommended Menu for Special Heart Disease Patients
With best wishes from
Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai
Tel. 052-089-888 or 1719
