Every forty seconds, someone in the U.S. has a heart attack. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the country and many with high blood pressure and high cholesterol are susceptible to its perils.
Whether you’ve recovered from a previous heart attack or received a diagnosis of a potentially impending one, there are plenty of easy lifestyle changes to make. Healthy eating and exercise make the biggest difference.
If you’re at risk, consider the many foods that unclog arteries and prevent heart attacks.
Keep reading for five of the best heart-friendly foods.
1. Berries
There are many things you can do with berries to be heart-healthy while still enjoying your meals. Any berry counts: blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and cranberries.
For breakfast, you could add these to some yogurt or oatmeal (which is also great for unclogging arteries). For lunch, you could add them to a yummy smoothie. Berries are also a delicious topping to add to any salad for dinner.
Berries are packed with fiber, vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds including flavonoid antioxidants. All of this reduces inflammation and cholesterol accumulation, which would improve your artery function.
2. Beans
And we don’t mean baked beans, which are not healthy due to all the additives. Instead, go for whole black beans or pinto beans.
You can include these fiber-rich morsels in a burrito or taco. Consider having beans replace the meat you would otherwise have in a Mexican-inspired dish. They can still be seasoned to grant you the yummy flavor you’re used to!
A daily serving of beans in one’s diet will significantly lower the levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol. It also may reduce blood pressure while improving artery function.
3. Fish
Beyond the fiber that the past two foods grant in a diet, fish are known for their omega-3s. Essentially, omega-3 fats help break down cellular adhesion molecules.
Keeping those molecules to a minimum will help someone declog their arteries.
4. Flax Seeds
These are amazing for everyone’s nutrition. They are high in fiber, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals such as calcium and magnesium.
Flaxseeds also contain secoisolariciresinol diglucoside, which is an anti-inflammatory lignan with compounds that lower cholesterol.
The easiest way to eat this is to blend it up in smoothies. Although, it also can act as an easy topping to add to salads or pizza. If you’re into trail mix, consider adding flax seeds in!
5. Cocoa and Dark Chocolate
For those with a sweet tooth, we’ve got your back. Next time you’re craving a sweet treat after your heart-healthy dinner, keep up the good work with a bit of dark chocolate (this also pairs nicely with berries!).
These are just a few of the foods that aid in heart attack prevention. There are many more, such as leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables, and even olive oil. These are all easy additions to your diet, regardless of if you’re at home or traveling after a heart attack.
Finding Foods That Unclog Arteries and Prevent Heart Attacks
It can be a big adjustment to make, switching to foods that unclog arteries and prevent heart attacks. But a lot of these foods can be added to your previous favorite meals for a boost of health and flavor.
If you found this article helpful, check out our health category for more!
