Angioplasty is a surgical process of repairing or removing a block in the blood vessel, especially the coronary artery. Undergoing angioplasty to open a blocked artery can be a major wake-up call to nurse the heart to good health. If that’s you, it’s high time that you changed your lifestyle, and focus on following through with heart-healthy diet.
Staying fit matters
While many of you have qualms regarding exercising after angioplasty, staying fit is a must to avoid further heart-related complications and keeping your health in check. When your doctor gives you’re the go-ahead for exercising, there are many ways to do it right. Take up jogging, walking, cycling, swimming, or any physical exercise that works for you. To keep your heart healthy, follow these simple procedures:
- Don’t eat after exercising. Give a time-gap of at least 90 minutes.
- Take a few minutes to warm up before any aerobic activity.
- Start slowly and gradually increase your activity level.
- Dress for the weather and stay hydrated.
- Take time to cool down after exercising.
If you’reshort of breathor become fatigued while exercising, stop and try getting medical support as soon as possible.
Get a diet makeover!
Following a heart-healthy diet as part of your heart disease treatment plan can minimize your chances of having cardiac problems in the future. Being on a specific heart-healthy diet can help you reduce the level of cholesterol in your blood. It will also help you lower your blood pressure, and keeping your body weight under control.
Essentially, a heart-healthy diet includes lowering yourintake of salt and unhealthy fats, and incrementing the amount of whole grains, vegetables, and fruits that you consume.
Heart-healthy foods
While you recover from angioplasty, consider adding the following foods to your daily diet plan:
- Whole grains – Whole grains are rich in fiber that sops up the cholesterol from your digestive tract, preventing it from reaching your bloodstream. You can add fiber-rich foods, like millets, buckwheat, bulgur, and whole-wheat.
- Raw fruits and vegetables – Fresh fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of potassium that help you fight cholesterol.
- Nuts, beans, and seeds – Walnuts, almonds, other nuts, and seeds are essential for a healthy heartlinked to reducing blood pressure.
Also, remember that a healthy diet is the sum of all foods that you consume and not just a handful of heart-healthy foods. Always strive to include good food at each meal, and stay healthy in body and mind.