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Suggest Treatment For Severe HF With EF Of 35%

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Posted on Tue, 19 Jan 2016
Question: I have a Ef of 35% without a exact cause as of yet... or who knows when. My EKG was great, 2 separate blood work up including thyroid. Every where else in my body seems to be in good shape kidney liver etc.. despite being in heart failure. The Eco showed the Ef of 35% moderate global hypokinesis? believe I spelled that right. Not on any restrictions, I'm not over weight 116lbs 4ft 11. But is there any heart healthy diet that may help improve this condition?? Cardiologist first thought that its peripardium cardiomyopathy, my son is now 9 months old. no issues during pregnancy or 3 months after at the least. just found about a heart problem a few weeks ago.
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Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

Welcome back on HCM!

Regarding your concern, I would explain that as you are suffering from heart failure (EF 35%) it is important that your diet respects a careful fluid and electrolytes balance.

- First of all it is important to avoid excessive salt in daily diet. it is recommended to use no more than 2 grams of sodium (salt) in your daily foods.
This means to avoid salt shaker, check every food labels (which almost always prescribe the salt content, especially in processed foods), and make wise food choices when dining away from home.

- Also it is important to use high fiber foods, which coupled with low-cholesterol and low-sodium foods help in maintaining an ideal body weight, so necessary for a heart failure patient. In addition, cooked dried peas, beans (legumes) and whole grain foods also help with digestion and controlling glucose levels.

- Avoid convenience foods such as canned soups, entreés, vegetables, pasta and rice mixes, frozen dinners, instant cereal and puddings, and gravy sauce mixes.

- It is also recommended to avoid canned, cured or smoked meats and items like deli meats.

- It is advisable to use fresh ingredients and/or foods with no salt added whenever possible. Fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, poultry and fish are low-sodium foods.

There exist several favorable diets for a heart failure patient. I would recommend following Mediterranean diet, which gives the opportunity of a balanced combination of sugars, proteins and healthy (unsaturated) fats.

You should know that diet is an additional important component in the management strategy of heart failure patients.

But, it is as much or even more important to follow the medically prescribed therapy, general life-style optimization recommendations and a careful periodic follow-up program.

Hope to have been helpful to you!

Feel free to ask me whenever you need!

Wishing all the best for this New Year,

Kind regards,

Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Ilir Sharka

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 9539 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Severe HF With EF Of 35%

Brief Answer: I would explain as follows: Detailed Answer: Hello, Welcome back on HCM! Regarding your concern, I would explain that as you are suffering from heart failure (EF 35%) it is important that your diet respects a careful fluid and electrolytes balance. - First of all it is important to avoid excessive salt in daily diet. it is recommended to use no more than 2 grams of sodium (salt) in your daily foods. This means to avoid salt shaker, check every food labels (which almost always prescribe the salt content, especially in processed foods), and make wise food choices when dining away from home. - Also it is important to use high fiber foods, which coupled with low-cholesterol and low-sodium foods help in maintaining an ideal body weight, so necessary for a heart failure patient. In addition, cooked dried peas, beans (legumes) and whole grain foods also help with digestion and controlling glucose levels. - Avoid convenience foods such as canned soups, entreés, vegetables, pasta and rice mixes, frozen dinners, instant cereal and puddings, and gravy sauce mixes. - It is also recommended to avoid canned, cured or smoked meats and items like deli meats. - It is advisable to use fresh ingredients and/or foods with no salt added whenever possible. Fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, poultry and fish are low-sodium foods. There exist several favorable diets for a heart failure patient. I would recommend following Mediterranean diet, which gives the opportunity of a balanced combination of sugars, proteins and healthy (unsaturated) fats. You should know that diet is an additional important component in the management strategy of heart failure patients. But, it is as much or even more important to follow the medically prescribed therapy, general life-style optimization recommendations and a careful periodic follow-up program. Hope to have been helpful to you! Feel free to ask me whenever you need! Wishing all the best for this New Year, Kind regards, Dr. Iliri