Cardiac Diet

What It Is, Foods to Consume, Foods to Avoid, and More

Author: Georgina Tiarks

Editor: Alyssa Haag

Editor: Emily Miao, PharmD

Editor: Kelsey LaFayette, DNP, ARNP, FNP-C

Illustrator: Jessica Reynolds, MS

Copyeditor: Stacy Johnson, LMSW

Modified: Jan 06, 2025

What is cardiovascular disease?

Cardiovascular disease is a broad term encompassing heart disease and coronary artery disease. Heart failure, valvular disease, coronary artery disease, arrhythmias (i.e., dysfunction of the electrical signals in the heart), and peripheral artery disease are a few of the most common cardiovascular diseases.

The signs and symptoms of cardiovascular disease are vast. Still, they may include chest pain, orthopnea (i.e., difficulty breathing when lying down), edema, calf pain, shortness of breath, cold and pale extremities, dizziness, sweating, and palpitations.

Treatment of cardiovascular disease depends on the exact cardiovascular condition and any comorbidities an individual may have. Treatments can include lifestyle changes to prevent disease or maintain cardiovascular health, like dietary modifications and exercise; medications to control blood pressure, cholesterol, or heart rate; or surgery, like coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) or cardiac catheterization.

What is a cardiac diet?

A cardiac diet outlines dietary guidelines recommended to reduce cardiovascular disease risk and promote overall heart health. Significant research has been conducted proving specific diets and food groups increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Cardiac diet recommendations aim to reduce the intake of these food groups.

How does a cardiac diet help cardiovascular disease?

The cardiac diet can help to prevent cardiovascular disease through many mechanisms. Several diets and their ability to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease have been studied, which include the Mediterranean diet, DASH (dietary approach to stop hypertension) diet, and a low-fat diet. The Mediterranean diet focuses on a diet high in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, seafood, and heart-healthy fats (e.g., olive oil). The DASH diet promotes carbohydrates, fruits, vegetables, and low sodium consumption. Finally, the low-fat diet focuses on reducing all fat intake. The American Heart Association has outlined recommendations based on all these findings. These recommendations include whole grains; fresh fruits and vegetables; lean and unprocessed sources of protein; low-sodium and low-fat options; and minimal sugar intake.

Whole grain carbohydrates have been found to reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL), also known as bad cholesterol, and total cholesterol. They also allow for a slow sugar release, preventing blood sugar spikes and reducing insulin resistance and fat synthesis. Soluble fiber, found in carbohydrates, vegetables, and fruits, is also responsible for lowering cholesterol by binding cholesterol within the intestine so that it cannot be absorbed into the bloodstream. This leads to increased excretion of cholesterol through feces.

As sodium causes water retention, restricting sodium intake can reduce fluid retention, lowering blood pressure. Lowered blood pressure can prevent coronary artery disease, heart failure, aortic aneurysms (i.e., dilated artery), peripheral artery disease, and stroke.

Saturated fats are saturated with hydrogen bonds and therefore contain no double bonds in their chemical structure, making them rigid. They increase the amount of LDL cholesterol in the blood. In comparison, unsaturated fats do contain double bonds. Trans unsaturated fats have double bonds but are associated with a high risk of cardiovascular disease. At the same time, increased polyunsaturated (i.e., two or more double bonds) and monounsaturated fats (i.e., one double bond) fat intake is recommended to reduce both total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol while simultaneously increasing HDL (i.e., good cholesterol). Therefore, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats are considered “good” fats.

Elevated sugar levels in one’s diet may foster an inflammatory state in the body. Inflammation and stress are vital to the atherosclerosis cascade and can lead to cardiovascular disease. Therefore, decreasing sugar intake may prevent atherosclerosis. A recent study also showed increased sugar intake was associated with higher blood pressure. Moreover, increased sugar or simple carbohydrates increase insulin (i.e., hormone) secretion, which promotes fat synthesis and obesity. Both of which are independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Several studies have revealed a strong correlation between sugar consumption and cardiovascular disease.

What foods are best on a cardiac diet?

There are a variety of foods recommended for a cardiac diet. Olive oil, vegetable oils, fish (e.g., salmon, mackerel, herring), nuts, and seeds are filled with healthy fats (e.g., omega-3 fatty acids and polyunsaturated fats) that can lower total cholesterol levels. Low-fat dairy products, like yogurt and skim milk, and lean meats, like turkey and chicken, can also reduce total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels. Fresh fruits and vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, apples, and bananas are sources of soluble fiber. In addition, soluble fiber can be found in whole grains such as oats, brown rice, and whole-grain bread.

What foods should be avoided on a cardiac diet?

Foods that people on a cardiac diet should avoid refined carbohydrates (e.g., white bread, white rice, pastries, breakfast cereals, pasta); processed foods (e.g., chips, bacon, sausage, biscuits); and red meats (e.g., beef, lamb, veal, pork). Soda beverages, baked goods, candy, biscuits, and foods with added sugar should also be avoided.

What are the most important facts to know about a cardiac diet?

A cardiac diet proposes several recommendations for following a heart-healthy diet. Cardiovascular disease refers to many heart diseases, including coronary artery disease. A cardiac diet offers several suggestions for following a heart-healthy diet. The cardiac diet outlines recommended food groups and food groups to avoid. Several specific diets exist, such as the DASH, Mediterranean, and low-fat diets. Overall, a heart-healthy diet may include heart-healthy fats (e.g. olive oils, fatty fish, nuts), lean proteins (e.g. chicken, turkey, tofu), fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain carbohydrates (e.g., brown bread, brown rice, oats). Avoid foods that include simple, refined carbohydrates (e.g., white bread, white rice, cereal, pasta), processed food (e.g., chips, sausage), sugary foods (e.g., baked goods, candy, soda), and red meat (e.g., beef, lamb).

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