Adjusting your diet: Fats and cholesterol

As part of a healthy diet you should watch the amount of fat you have in your diet (particularly saturated fats).

Why?

Eating too much of these fatty foods can result in high levels of fats and cholesterol in the blood. High blood cholesterol is linked to coronary artery disease, which can lead to a heart attack and heart failure. In addition, foods with a high fat content also contain a lot of calories, which can lead to weight gain.

How?

If you have a dietician, they will be able to work with you on the best diet for you. Your diet should include fruit and vegetables, fish, poultry, lean meat, meat-substitutes (e.g. soya), and unsaturated fats. A good habit to get into is reading food labels to find out what the food contains and in what quantities. You should avoid foods high in saturated fats, for instance those found in whole milk products and red meats. Cutting down on egg yolks and animal products in general will help to reduce your cholesterol level.

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ESC Guidelines for Heart Failure

What patients need to know

This guide for patients from the European Society of Cardiology aims to provide an overview of the latest evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of heart failure.

In particular, it should help patients to understand the:

  • main types of heart failure
  • medicines used to treat heart failure
  • devices that may be appropriate
  • importance of rehabilitation
  • management by a multidisciplinary team
  • importance of self-care in managing your own condition

Learn more

AN ANIMATED JOURNEY THROUGH HEART FAILURE

A series of 9 simple, captivating animations explaining heart failure and its treatment.

These narrated animations explain how a healthy heart works, what happens to it in heart failure and how various treatments work to improve your health.

PATIENT AND CAREGIVERS VIDEOS

In this section you can watch, listen or read interviews with other people with heart failure and their caregivers.

VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE

and share your own views and experiences with other patients, families and caregivers.

heartfailurematters.org is a European Society of Cardiology website

The heartfailurematters.org website was developed under the direction of the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). The ESC is a world leader in the discovery and dissemination of best practices in cardiovascular medicine. Our members and decision-makers are healthcare professionals who volunteer their time and expertise to represent professionals in the field of cardiology in Europe and beyond.

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