Get at least 4 fruit and 5 vegetable servings each day. This is easy if you include at least 2 servings in each meal and some snacks throughout the day. [3] X Trustworthy Source American Heart Association Leading nonprofit that funds medical research and public education Go to source
Good sources of plant protein include nuts, seeds, legumes, soy, and beans. Red meat and dark meat poultry are high in saturated fats, so limit your intake of these sources. If you eat poultry, remove the skin for less saturated fat.
Good omega-3 sources include fish (1-1. 8 g per oz. ), vegetable oils (1. 3 g per tbsp), walnuts (2. 5 g per oz. ), and flax seeds (2. 3 g per ounce).
In general, brown foods are healthier than white varieties. White rice, for example, is enriched, so brown rice is a better choice.
Get into the habit of checking all nutrition labels for the salt content in everything you buy. Also try not to add more salt to your cooking or food. Your doctor may want you on a low-salt diet with less than 2,300 mg. [10] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Some diets for people with heart issues are limited to 1,500 mg. Always follow your doctor’s directions.
2,300 mg of salt is only about 2. 5 tbsp, so it’s easy to go over the recommended amount. Pay attention to the amount of salt you add. This includes cured or processed meats like cold cuts, which are usually high in salt. If you’re cooking at home, try baking or roasting your food instead. This way, you won’t have to add any extra oil or fat.
You might think only desserts have sugar, but a lot of packaged foods are packed with sugar. Get into the habit of checking nutritional labels for sugar content. You might be surprised how much added sugars some foods have. Added sugars are different than natural sugars, like the ones in fruit. You don’t have to avoid natural sugars.
Aerobic exercises are best for your heart health. Try walking, running, biking, swimming, and other cardio workouts for the best results. If at any point during your exercise you feel like your heart is pounding too hard, or if you feel faint, dizzy, or short of breath, stop and take a rest. You may be pushing yourself too hard. Don’t exercise for hours a day, however. Excessive exercise could put you at a higher risk for AFib. [16] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
Sticking with a heart-healthy diet and exercising regularly to help your AFib will also help you lose weight. Avoid extreme or crash dieting. Dropping a lot of weight too quickly isn’t good for your heart, especially if you already have AFib.
Some relaxation activities like deep breathing or meditation can clear your head and help you de-stress. Regular exercise can also lower your stress levels. Doing things you enjoy are great ways to reduce your stress. Try to include a few minutes each day for your hobbies.
If you’re very sensitive to caffeine, you should cut it out entirely. Remember that energy drinks usually contain much more caffeine than a cup of coffee, and sometimes even more caffeine than you should have in a day. Avoid these drinks.
If you notice your symptoms act up after even 1 or 2 drinks, then you may be especially sensitive to alcohol. It’s best to avoid it entirely in this case.
Secondhand smoke can also cause problems, so don’t let anyone smoke in your home either. All illicit drugs are harmful, but stimulants are especially bad if you have AFib. These include cocaine, amphetamines, crack, and ecstasy.
Visit an experienced and licensed acupuncturist so you know you’re getting a safe treatment. Explain your exact problem to the acupuncturist. They’ll adjust the pressure points they access based on your symptoms.
The daily dosage varies based on how concentrated the tablets are, but 1,000 mg is a common dose. Follow the instructions on the bottle. If you’re a vegetarian, there are also algae or plant supplements that provide omega-3s without fish oil.
Common CoQ10 doses range from 50-200 mg, so follow your doctor’s instructions. Your doctor may recommend that you take CoQ10 if you’re on medications that could interfere with your heart rate. CoQ10 could interfere with blood thinners, so avoid it if you take this medication. [28] X Research source
A studied dose is 10-20 g per day, but follow the instructions that your doctor gives you.
