Scientists from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine found that adopting a whole-food plant-based diet can reverse heart failure without medications or surgeries.
Heart failure is a condition where the heart fails to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs.
One symptom of heart failure is angina, which is chest pain caused by the heart not receiving enough oxygen-rich blood.
It is often caused by a build-up of fatty substances in the arteries called atherosclerosis.
In the study, researchers reported a case of angina in a 60-year-old man who had a positive stress test.
However, he declined drug therapy and invasive testing, opting instead to adopt a whole-food plant-based diet. This diet mainly includes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, potatoes, beans, legumes, and nuts.
The man’s symptoms rapidly improved, and doctors found that his weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels also improved.
A whole-food plant-based diet emphasizes fresh, whole ingredients while minimizing processed foods.
It focuses on minimally processed foods, especially plants, and limits or avoids animal products. It also excludes refined foods like added sugars, white flour, and processed oils.
The researchers suggest that adopting a plant-based diet can improve blood fats, diabetes control, reduce the risk of heart disease, and lower the risk of death.
They also recommend paying special attention to food quality, including locally sourced, organic food.
The team suggests that a whole-food plant-based diet should be the first recommendation for patients with atherosclerosis, a condition caused by the build-up of plaque in the artery walls.
This build-up can cause arteries to narrow, blocking blood flow.
If you want to improve your heart health, consider adopting a whole-food plant-based diet.
You can also read studies about how eating eggs can help reduce heart disease risk, and how scientists found a root cause of chronic heart failure.
How to prevent heart failure
Heart failure can be prevented by making certain lifestyle changes and managing underlying medical conditions. Here are some tips for preventing heart failure:
Eat a healthy diet: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and low-fat dairy can help keep your heart healthy. Limit your intake of saturated and trans fats, added sugars, and sodium.
Maintain a healthy weight: Excess weight can put extra strain on your heart and increase your risk of heart disease and heart failure.
Work with your healthcare provider to develop a healthy eating and exercise plan that can help you reach and maintain a healthy weight.
Exercise regularly: Regular physical activity can help strengthen your heart and improve your overall health. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise per week.
Don’t smoke: Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease and heart failure. Quitting smoking can help reduce your risk.
Manage underlying medical conditions: If you have conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or sleep apnea, work with your healthcare provider to manage these conditions and keep them under control.
Limit alcohol intake: Drinking too much alcohol can increase your risk of heart disease and heart failure. If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation.
Get regular check-ups: Regular check-ups with your healthcare provider can help identify and manage any risk factors for heart failure.
By adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle and managing underlying medical conditions, you can help prevent heart failure and reduce your risk of heart disease.
The study was published in Case Reports in Cardiology and conducted by Daniele Massera et al.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about how eating eggs can help reduce heart disease risk, and herbal supplements could harm your heart rhythm.
For more information about health, please see recent studies about how drinking milk affects risks of heart disease and cancer, and cases showing she retired from playing football at 41, had heart attack at 43.
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