What does a heart-healthy diet mean?
Heart-healthy means eating a diet that is low in sodium, cholesterol, and fat. Foods that best meet this requirement are whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. A diet high in sodium, fat and cholesterol is associated with higher blood pressure, increased weight, and elevated blood cholesterol levels, all of which increase the chances that atherosclerosis will occur. Atherosclerosis is the hallmark of coronary artery disease and consists of the build-up of fatty deposits on the inside of the artery walls.
