Recent heart attack

[Davidof]

Just got out of hospital after having a heart attack and angiogram yesterday. Just looking for advice on what to eat and drink really after having been told I need to reduce my cholesterol.

[Hidden]

Hi,Did the hospital not give you any dietary advice? I got a few leaflets from BHF and it's basically what we all know we should be eating !!! So plenty fruit and veg, cut down on junk, fried foods, high fat foods, take aways etc etc. If you google it you can download it. Takebit easy and good luck.

[Hoocher in reply to Hidden]

Cut out red meat, eat plenty of oily fish, fruit and veg, if you like chocolate swap to dark chocolate. Best oils to use are virgin olive oil or cold pressed rapeseed. I make lots of soups and try to keep my fat intake to 50g a day rather than the 70g average. I only eat meat twice a week (chicken) . The BHF have lots of good advice on nutrition. I only drink decaffeinated coffee with skimmed milk and try to limit this to 2 per day. 18 months on I am also 3.5 stone lighter. Keep going, you will get there

[Edwen_]

Hi David, After a Heart attack you mustn’t eat grapefruit. I think it’s to do with the medication. A nutritious diet is recommended eating plenty of natural fresh or frozen vegetables. Nuts, seeds, healthy proteins, polyunsaturated oils, complex carbohydrates and whole fruit. A balanced and varied healthy diet avoiding ultra processed food is best. Limiting alcohol consumption and completely avoiding smoking. Good luck. Oh! I almost forgot, and you need a treat from time to time. My treat is homemade cake or dark chocolate washed down with lots of real coffee. Best wishes

[Hidden in reply to Edwen_]

No grapefruit ? Do you know why ?

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Grapefruit and pomegranate I seem to remember alter the way that Statins work....I think they actually boost the effectiveness of the statin making it too strong.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Ah thank you , guess I won’t be eating the ones I have in the fridge then . X

[RufusScamp]

The Mediterranean diet is frequently recommended, lots of fruit and veg, salads, oily fish and not too much highly processed food. It's quite easy in the summer, but more difficult in winter when you just want some rib-sticking stodge. I rely a lot on stews with beans or lentils. Water is the best drink. Fruity teas if you like them.The other factor is exercise, but how much must depend on your condition. Unfortunately, cardio-rehab classes don't seem to have restarted yet. If you can get out for a walk most days it is probably a good thing, but don't try and do too much to start with.

[firstlight40]

Hello and welcome. Glad to hear that you are out of hospital. It's important that you follow up on the cholesterol. After a heart attack, the recommended cholesterol level drops so someone with an acceptable level before their heart attack (like me) now finds they have to reduce it. I think it is likely you will have been prescribed drugs (statins) to reduce your cholesterol as well as following the good advice people have given here on diet.

For me, the drugs reduced my cholesterol by 60% to well below the limits although not everyone will have the same results.

British Heart Foundation have useful booklets and information on line about cholesterol and ways of reducing the levels and you should have annual blood tests through your GP to ensure the levels are OK. Good luck.

[KirstyDC300]

It depends how far you want to take it, I was determined to do everything I could to make the most of the second chance I’d been given. I did some research and found there is a 20 year lag between the science around nutrition and what patients are advised. The leaflet I was given recommended a diet that included cheese but there is a wealth of research showing that a whole food plant based diet is the best for heart health. My family were worried that I’d just picked up some new fad so I paid for a private dietician who was fully supportive. It’s been just over a year since my HA and my cholesterol is normal, by blood pressure is normal, I’ve lost 2 stone and have loads of energy. There’s lots of great information on the internet, here’s a short clip from the dr that wrote “how not to die” youtu.be/plTjIOkibEwIf(Not working as expected?) you feel this is too much change for you, then the second best diet is the Mediterranean which Rufus suggested, but I’d highly recommend learning to cook without oil (just put a splash of water in the pan instead).

Regarding drinks, cut back on alcohol as much as possible and don’t drink sugary rubbish. Green tea has good health benefits (but takes some getting used to!).

I’m sorry if I sound preachy, I’m just so passionate about this subject because heart attacks are caused by the food we put in our mouths, we have control. You’ve had a horrible scare and you’ve survived. This is a great time to use that as motivation to change your life. Feel free to private message me if you’d like more info or support.

[KirstyDC300 in reply to KirstyDC300]

It won’t let me link the video, but you can search YouTube for ‘reversing heart disease with a whole food plant based diet with Michael Gregor’

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to KirstyDC300]

Not all heart attacks are caused by as you say the food we put in our mouths. About 10% of heart attacks are caused without any permanent blockages of the coronary arteries.

MINOCA

Myocardial infarction non obstructive coronary artery.

Also this belief suggests that individuals are somehow to blame for their heart events which isn't always helpful.

Heart disease is complex and the causes multifactorial, diet is just one factor.

There are some extreme views on the internet which are not supported by robust peer reviewed research evidence.

There is as yet no research that has proven without doubt that heart disease can be reversed.

The BHF certainly so far does not suggest that heart disease can be reversed.

The BHF does provide research based dietary advice for heart health which is the Mediterranean diet.

[Madge11 in reply to Milkfairy]

Well said.

[Twobells in reply to Madge11]

Milk Fairy , thank you. Just saved me having a rant at the above post.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Twobells]

Wishing you a speedy recovery from your recent heart event.

Stay well and safe.

[KirstyDC300 in reply to Milkfairy]

Thanks for your response, yes good point about there being different reasons for heart attacks. You’re right I was making a sweeping remark that could have caused offence for which I apologise. I was happy myself that the level of peer reviewed research on WFPB diet was robust enough to give it a try for myself but certainly don’t have time or probably skills to get into a research debate here. If folk are interested they can search on google scholar for peer reviewed literature on heart disease + diet. I will certainly check for updates regularly to avoid the massive delay between research and public health advice.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to KirstyDC300]

Thank you.

[Lad0820]

This is what I was given after having a stent

BHF dietary advice

[Tubbylardo]

I've become a big fan of red pesto and wholewheat pasta ......