Do you know how to choose foods that are good for your heart?

The article was professionally consulted by Doctor General Internal Medicine Doctor - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.

Foods that are good for the heart are because they can affect good control of blood pressure, maintain blood cholesterol levels as well as influence inflammatory processes in the body. These components are all risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Here is a list of some foods that are good for people with heart disease.

Vegetables like spinach, kale,... are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. In particular, they provide a rich source of vitamin K, which helps protect blood vessels and affects blood clotting of heart patients.
In addition, in these vegetables also contain nitrates - substances that have the effect of dilating blood vessels, reducing blood pressure, reducing atherosclerosis and enhancing the function of cells lining the inside of blood vessels.

Black beans contain heart-healthy nutrients: Folate, antioxidants and magnesium can help lower blood pressure, black beans' fiber will help control both cholesterol and stabilize blood sugar.

Popular whole grains including wheat, oats, barley, etc. are also on the list of heart-healthy foods. Compared to refined grains, whole grains contain more fiber, which can help lower bad cholesterol levels - LDL and reduce the risk of heart disease.

Some fish like salmon, mackerel, sardines, tuna, ... are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, beneficial for heart health, this has long been proven. If you can't eat fish, fish oil is another option to provide your daily intake of omega-3 fatty acids. Proven fish oil benefits include helping to lower blood triglycerides, improve artery function, and lower blood pressure. The American Heart Association recommends eating 2 servings of salmon or other oily fish per week.
Note, if choosing tuna, choose fish packed in water, not tuna in oil to keep the heart healthier.

Green tea offers a number of health benefits, from increased fat consumption to improved insulin sensitivity. Green tea also contains polyphenols and catechins, which act as antioxidants to help prevent cell damage, fight inflammation, and protect cardiovascular health.

For a long time, garlic has been used as a natural remedy to treat a variety of ailments. Recently, studies have proven the benefits of garlic and found that garlic can even help improve cardiovascular health effectively. The reason is because garlic contains a compound called allicin, an antioxidant that helps control blood pressure as well as maintain blood fat levels, which is very beneficial for the health of the body's circulatory system. . One recommendation is to eat garlic raw or crush it then let it sit for a few minutes before cooking, this helps form allicin, which helps maximize garlic's health benefits.

Olive oil is a healthy fat made from grated olives, rich in heart-healthy antioxidants that help protect your blood vessels. Using olive oil to replace saturated fat (like butter) can help lower cholesterol levels.

Eating tofu will provide a great vegetarian protein with minerals, fiber and heart-healthy polyunsaturated fats, this is a good food for people with heart disease to use.
In addition, the foods that are good for the heart include: Sweet potatoes, tomatoes, dark chocolate, berries,...
To protect heart health in general and detect early signs of heart attack and stroke, customers can register for Cardiovascular Screening Package - Basic Cardiovascular Examination of Vinmec International General Hospital. The examination package helps to detect cardiovascular problems at the earliest through tests and modern imaging methods. The package is for all ages, genders and is especially essential for people with risk factors for cardiovascular disease.