Congestive Heart Failure

The key is prevention of congestive heart failure with a Nutritarian diet and active lifestyle; however, once CHF has developed, a Nutritarian diet can significantly improve symptoms and quality of life and, in some cases, reverse impaired heart function. From 2007 to 2010, an estimated 5.1 million Americans older than age 20 had heart failure. This is projected to increase by 46% to 8 million Americans older than age 18 by the year 2030. In 2010, the cost of heart failure in the U.S. was $30.7 billion and will likely increase to $69.7 billion by the year 2030.¹

Because of impaired pumping of the heart, blood will back up into the lungs and lower extremities causing difficulty breathing and swelling. Patients with CHF often have to sleep with the heads elevated on several pillows because of shortness of breath. They can have trouble breathing while exerting themselves, as well as palpitations or chest pain. Swelling can occur in the feet, ankles or whole leg and even into the back. Patients often complain of dizziness or fatigue. CHF can significantly affect the quality of life.

Anything that damages heart muscle increases the risk of developing congestive heart failure. The primary causes are modern eating habits, smoking, substance abuse, and a sedentary lifestyle. The Standard American Diet leads to a constellation of dietary-caused risk factors including being overweight, diabetes/insulin resistance, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and inflammation. Arterial cholesterol plaques and inflammation can lead to heart attacks causing damage to the heart muscle. Valvular heart disease can affect blood flow and how the heart pumps, causing changes to the heart muscle and eventual heart failure. Thyroid disease can also contribute to the development of CHF. The key to prevention, improvement, and even reversal is a Nutritarian diet.

Diet

• The most aggressive and effective approach to reversing heart disease is described in my book, The End of Heart Disease. It describes a micronutrient-dense diet with an array of cruciferous vegetables, non-green vegetables, beans, fruits, nuts, and seeds. This will reduce inflammation, oxidative stress, and atherosclerotic plaque formation in the blood vessels.
• Limit extra sodium intake to 0-300mg daily based on lower leg edema and lung congestion. More sodium may be indicated, if use of diuretics necessitate it, and this should be determined by physician monitoring.
• Monitor fluid intake. Drink only when thirsty or when exercising, sweating, etc. It is important to maintain normal hydration without overloading on fluids. Vegetables and fruits have high water content and will lower your water requirement. Monitor your weight daily, and check for edema of lower extremities and lung congestion.
• Limit or eliminate animal products. If choosing to include animal products in the diet, use servings of only two ounces or less as a condiment only a few times a week. Use predominantly wild seafood, such as salmon, sardines, squid, flounder, scrod, or trout.
• If you are taking any medication, please talk to your doctor before and after changing your diet, as reducing medication may be necessary. A Nutritarian diet is so effective that a reduction in medications will most often be needed to prevent the risks of over-medicating. Blood pressure, serum electrolytes, renal function, and glucose need to be monitored closely.

Exercise

Moderate exercise has been shown to be helpful with heart failure patients.¹ Workouts need to be customized for each patient. Exercise tolerance must be increased slowly.

Tobacco cessation

Tobacco use increases risk of cardiovascular disease including CHF. Quitting smoking, even for as little as two years, has a significant beneficial effect on morbidity and mortality in patients with heart failure.²