L’heart failure is a chronic disease which affects 1.5 million people in France and which is expected to increase by 25% every 4 years. It mainly affects people aged 60 and over but its incidence increases before the age of 55 due to smoking, a sedentary lifestyle and poor diet. This pathology is manifested by an inability of the heart muscle to normally play its role of propelling blood in the body: it no longer pumps enough blood to allow the organs to receive enough oxygen and essential elements for their functioning. Heart failure first manifests itself during exercise when the heart must adapt by increasing its contraction frequency and blood ejection rate, then at rest. This extra work for the heart disrupts the body’s water and electrolyte balance and causes a slowdown in circulation which leads to stagnation and accumulation of blood in the vessels. If it is not treated early enough, the patient gets worse and causes a significant deterioration in quality of life. Heart failure causes 200,000 hospitalizations per year and causes one death every 7 minutes.
Heart failure: the signs
Heart failure initially manifests itself as difficulty catching your breath due to increased blood pressure in the pulmonary vessels, reducing the proper functioning of the lungs. This discomfort manifests itself first during efforts, then during increasingly reduced efforts and finally at rest, in a seated position. This pathology can also manifest itself as a cough when lying down, especially occurring at night. Other symptoms include edema on certain parts of the body such as the feet and ankles which can be accompanied by extremely rapid and unexplained weight gain, linked to water retention by the body. Heart failure also causes fatigue linked in part to the lack of oxygen and nutrients supplied to the muscles.
Heart failure: salt to limit
In case of heart failure, it is advisable to adapt your diet and strongly limit its salt consumption. “Salt retains water and increases heart failure. The heart, whose function is impaired, struggles to eject blood and make the kidney function. It is therefore necessary to adopt a limited salt diet with a maximum of 2 grams per day.“, explains Dr. Olivier Hoffman, cardiologist at the American Hospital of Paris and ambassador for Agir pour le Cœur des Femmes.
Salt consumption also promotes water retention and therefore edema in the ankles, feet or abdomen. To reduce your salt consumption, you must stop putting salt shakers on the table during meals and limit the use of prepared meals which often contain a lot of salt. “You should also avoid salty foods such as canned foods, cheese and smoked salmon, but also cold meats, seafood and condiments (pickles, mustard, sauces of all kinds). You should also remember to tell the restaurant not to add salt to the dishes.“, advises Dr. Hoffman, who advises favoring foods low in salt such as fruits and vegetables and home-cooked meals.
THE fish is also particularly recommended, especially salmon, mackerel, herring, sardines or tuna. As for meat, favor white meats or the breast of poultry, lean ham and liver. When it comes to cooking, give up frying and breading and favor cooking in water or steam. Also be sure to check the salt content of the foods you buy by carefully analyzing their labels regarding their sodium content. If you find that your dishes lack depth without salt, add aromatic herbs, spices or lemon juice.
Heart failure: sparkling water banned
You must also monitor your water consumption when you suffer from proven and uncontrolled heart failure because fluids can accumulate, causing edema which accentuates the work of the heart. Fluid can also build up in the lungs, which can make breathing more difficult. “It is important not to exceed 1.5 L per day of all liquids, including coffee. Sparkling waters such as Vichy and Badoit are strictly contraindicated in cases of heart failure. Only Salvetat is authorized as sparkling water because it is low in sodium. You should also avoid sodas because few people know it, but these drinks are high in sodium.“, says Dr. Hoffman, who insists that this advice is only intended for people who have severe heart failure.
“The cardiologist adjusts the diet and fluids according to the level of heart failure. For example, there is no reason to advise fluid restriction if the patient has controlled heart failure.” he adds.
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⋙ How to reduce your salt intake to fight against hypertension?