Practical heart failure information for patients, families, and caregivers
Skip navigation links
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
TOPICS
Introduction
Adapting your lifestyle
Managing your medicines
Immunisations
Taking your own blood pressure and pulse
Support groups
Keeping other medical conditions under control
Test your knowledge

Adjusting your diet: Potassium 

Bookmark and Share
 

Potassium is an important mineral that your body requires for proper functioning. You will normally receive the recommended daily amount in your diet, however if you are taking diuretics for your heart failure, your body may lose some of this potassium. Your doctor may prescribe you a type of diuretic or adjust your other medication to prevent this from happening. You may be advised to supplement your diet with foods rich in potassium.

The following foods provide good sources of potassium:

  • bananas
  • oranges
  • prunes
  • soybeans
  • cantaloupe melon
  • fish such as halibut or flounder
  • potatoes.

Eating salty foods will increase the amount of sodium in your body and as a result, your body may lose potassium. It is important, therefore, that you follow a low salt diet.

Return to Adjusting your diet

 

 

 
Copyright 2007© Heart Failure Matters. All rights reserved.