Before reading this article, I sincerely invite you to click "Follow", which is not only convenient for you to discuss and share, but also to share more professional health knowledge with you, so as to escort your health, thank you for your support.
"Self-inflicted! I haven't been discharged from the hospital for half a year, why can't I hold back eating these?"
In the emergency room of the hospital, doctor Li Hua was shaking his head and sighing at the anxious family members in front of him. The 59-year-old patient, Zhao Meihua, is a retired teacher. Half a year ago, she was rushed to the hospital for a heart attack, and after a period of treatment and recovery, the doctors finally stabilized her condition.
When she was discharged from the hospital, Dr. Li Hua emphasized the importance of diet, telling her that she must strictly adhere to the principles of a low-fat, low-salt diet. However, good counsel is often difficult to resist temptation, especially at family gatherings.
Zhao's recurrence was not accidental. During this Chinese New Year, she attended several family gatherings and could not resist the temptation of good food, eating a lot of high-fat foods such as braised pork, fried chicken and cakes. These foods are rich in saturated fat and cholesterol, which can easily lead to re-blockage of blood vessels, which can lead to the recurrence of heart attack.
After reviewing Zhao's latest blood report, Dr. Li Hua pointed out another unexpected point: In addition to saturated fats, certain seemingly healthy foods can also be potential threats.
Specifically, some foods high in potassium, such as bananas, kiwifruit, and oranges. While these foods are healthy choices for most people, for those with heart disease who take blood pressure medications, excessive potassium intake may interfere with heart function and even trigger severe arrhythmias.
In a specific group of patients with heart disease, excessive potassium intake is associated with an increased risk of cardiac arrest. This is because certain antihypertensive medications, such as ACE inhibitors or ARBs, increase potassium retention in the body, and when eating foods high in potassium, too much potassium ions may interfere with normal heart electrical activity.
Potassium balance is crucial, and maintaining proper potassium levels is more important for people with heart disease than for the general population. Doctors will advise such patients to avoid foods high in potassium or to adjust their diet under the guidance of a professional.
After an in-depth discussion of this unique point of view, Zhao Meihua's daughter was a little puzzled, and she asked, "Doctor, my mother used to have no problem eating these foods, why is it suddenly not working now?"
Dr. Li Hua patiently explained: "This is normal. As you age and your condition changes, so does your mom's response to medications and your body's needs. The antihypertensive medication she is taking now may cause potassium build-up, which requires us to monitor her eating habits more carefully. ”
In addition, Dr. Li Hua pointed out an issue that is often overlooked: the sodium content of drinking water. While it may sound bizarre, tap water in some areas actually has higher levels of sodium, which is a hidden concern for heart patients who need to strictly control their sodium intake.
Sodium is not only the main component of salt, but also a key factor in controlling blood pressure. Excessive sodium intake can lead to water retention in the body, increasing the burden on the heart and increasing the risk of heart recurrence.
In this regard, Dr. Li Hua elaborates: "When treating patients with heart disease, we usually recommend reducing salt intake, but few people pay attention to the sodium content in drinking water. High sodium levels in drinking water are directly associated with the incidence of hypertension and heart disease. I recommend that Ms. Zhao consider using filtered water or low-sodium mineral water to help control his total sodium intake. ”
In this way, Dr. Li Hua not only emphasized the importance of traditional dietary modifications, but also introduced a new perspective on the role of environmental factors in heart health management, an often overlooked but vital element.
What do you think about heart attack? Welcome to discuss in the comment area!