What Foods Are Good for Elderly Patients with Heart Failure and Cardiomegaly?

Heart failure, also known as cardiac failure, is a common condition among the elderly. Once diagnosed with heart failure, the overall health of the elderly often deteriorates significantly. In addition to preparing necessary medications, it is crucial to provide them with a nutritious diet to help enhance their resistance. Now, let's discuss what foods are beneficial for elderly patients with heart failure.

Acute cardiac insufficiency, also known as acute heart failure, most commonly manifests as acute pulmonary edema caused by acute left-sided heart failure. Cardiac insufficiency is defined as a dysfunction of the heart's contractile and relaxant abilities caused by various underlying conditions, which progresses to the point where the heart's output cannot meet the body's metabolic needs for blood flow under normal circulatory blood volume and vascular contractility. This results in a clinical syndrome characterized by hemodynamic abnormalities and activation of the neuroendocrine system.

To manage heart failure, it is recommended to eat small meals frequently and focus on nutrition. Since patients with heart failure often have congestion in the liver and gastrointestinal tract, their appetite and digestive capacity are generally poor. Therefore, a timed and quantitative approach with multiple small meals per day is advisable. Ideally, eating 4-5 meals a day with each meal being about 80% full is recommended, favoring liquid or semi-liquid foods. While avoiding increased burden on the heart, it is important to include nutrient-rich foods such as lean meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, beans, as well as fresh vegetables and fruits. These foods provide essential amino acids, vitamins B and C, and other nutrients.

Permitted foods include grains like rice, flour, millet, corn, and sorghum. Beans and their products, such as soy milk and tofu, are also suitable. Poultry and lean meats like chicken, duck (lean), pork (lean), and beef are good protein sources. For fats and oils, plant-based oils are preferred over animal fats. Freshwater fish and some low-sodium saltwater fish are also recommended. Dairy products like milk (250ml) and eggs or duck eggs can also be included in the diet.