One of the ways that patients can contribute to their own treatment is by closely following the diet recommended by their provider. In general, patients will be asked to follow a diet that is low in salt. This is because salt can cause extra fluid to build up in the body making heart failure worse.

Patients will also be asked to limit the amount of fluids that they drink, in order to help control the fluid retention that occurs with heart failure. This will also help prevent low salt concentrations from developing in the blood, a condition known as hyponatremia. Typically, patients weigh themselves every day and are asked to alert their provider if they have a sudden weight gain. A weight increase could mean that extra fluid is building up in the body.

Research has shown that a heart healthy diet can actually help slow the progress of coronary artery disease, which is one of the leading causes of heart failure. Dietary changes should include reducing total fat intake, particularly saturated fat. Saturated fatty acids are the chief culprit in raising blood cholesterol, which then increases your risk of heart disease. Foods that are high in saturated fat are typically high in cholesterol as well, so avoiding them is particularly helpful.

Since saturated fat and cholesterol are found in all foods from animal sources, be careful to eat no more than six ounces of lean meat or skinless poultry per day, and to use fat-free and low-fat dairy products. Fish that contains heart healthy omega-3 fatty acids should be consumed at least twice a week. High-quality protein from vegetable sources such as beans are also good substitutes for animal sources of protein.

Substitute grilled or broiled foods for fried foods whenever possible. If you do decide to fry, avoid oils that are high in saturated fat like coconut and palm oils. Alternatives include oils made from polyunsaturated fats like sunflower, safflower and soybean oils or monounsaturated fats like canola, olive and peanut oils. These, when consumed in moderation, may even have beneficial effects on your blood cholesterol levels.

Whenever possible, be sure to read the label on the foods that you buy. Look for the terms “hydrogenated” or “partially hydrogenated vegetable oils” and try your best to avoid these.

Finally, some providers will recommend the DASH diet for patients with heart failure. The DASH diet has been clinically proven to reduce high blood pressure, which is one of the key causes of heart failure. Ask your provider if the DASH diet might be right for you.