Your diet plays a critical role in cardiac care. Preventing heart disease isn’t solely about avoiding problematic foods; you’ll also need to eat heart-friendly meals. Doing so will boost heart health and provide a handful of other health benefits. Here are a few options to add to your diet. 

Heart-Healthy Foods You Should Try

1. Dark Leafy Greens

Spinach, kale, and other dark leafy greens offer seemingly endless health benefits. They’re loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants—all of which contribute to heart health. Vitamin K protects your arteries, and nitrates can help you maintain your blood pressure. Other vitamins, including C and E, and the minerals calcium, fiber, and potassium contribute to heart and digestive health, so eating these foods will help you maintain a healthy weight. Eat them raw, steamed, or in a salad.

2. Fatty Fish

Fatty fish like salmon and mackerel are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids. These impact nearly every aspect of your health and may lower your risk of heart disease. They can regulate blood pressure for some people, especially those with diabetes and other conditions that increase the chances of heart complications. Eat fish at least once a week, or take a fish oil supplement daily as part of your cardiac care program.

3. Dark Chocolate

You don’t have to give up sweets to maintain a healthy heart. Dark chocolate has a large number of antioxidants and flavonoids that can improve heart health. Flavonoids may reduce high blood pressure and may better regulate insulin production to prevent diabetes—a major contributor to heart disease. Make sure you’re eating pure dark chocolate or cocoa, not their sweet counterparts in the candy aisle.

If you need a cardiac care exam, contact DiVagno Interventional Cardiology, MD, PA in Bergen County, NJ. Led by Dr. Leonard DiVagno, this practice has served the community for over 20 years. They focus on both treatment and prevention and can address high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart attack symptoms. Visit their website for a full breakdown of their cardiac care services, or call (201) 845-3535 to schedule a consultation.