People with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) may benefit from a heart-healthy diet. This includes a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and low in added sugar, sodium, and trans and saturated fats.
HCM causes the walls in the chambers of the heart to thicken, making it difficult for the heart to pump blood around the body.
People with HCM may benefit from making lifestyle adjustments that promote heart health and following a diet that is good for the heart.
This article lists heart-healthy foods, foods to avoid, and lifestyle changes to help manage HCM.
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A heart-healthy diet
- a variety of fruits
- a variety of vegetables
- whole grains
- foods low in saturated fat
- unprocessed foods
- protein, such as from:
- beverages that are low in added sugar
A 2021 study suggests a Mediterranean diet, combined with low-to-moderate exercise, may benefit a person with symptomatic HCM and obesity.
Fruits and vegetables
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If buying produce that is not fresh, people can check the label and choose products with the lowest amount of added sugar or salt.
Fruits and vegetables contain vitamins, minerals, and nutrients essential for heart health, including:
The AHA also advises people to eat fruits and vegetables in as many colors as possible.
Protein
Protein is an essential part of any diet, and the
Fish and seafood are also heart-healthy sources of protein.
For people who eat meat or poultry, lean and unprocessed poultry or meat is a suitable choice.
Whole grains
Heart-healthy diet recommendations advise eating whole grains. Whole grains are an important source of dietary fiber, which
Whole grains contain an entire grain, including bran, germ, and endosperm. In contrast, refined grains are ground down and do not contain germ or bran. Producers may enrich refined grains with nutrients, but do not always include fiber.
Half of the grains people eat should come from whole grains.
Whole grain foods include:
To maintain a heart-healthy diet, people should avoid or limit certain foods. For example, eating high amounts of sodium, sugar, and fat can be unhealthy for the heart.
Sugar and salt
AHA guidelines recommend:
no more than 6 teaspoons of sugar a day for women and 9 teaspoons for men- no more than
2,300 milligrams (mg) a day of sodium for most adults, though no more than 1,500 mg is ideal and may be better for people with certain health conditions
The average American adult consumes 3,500 mg of sodium and 17 teaspoons of sugar per day.
Saturated and trans fats
Eating foods high in saturated and trans fat
Trans fats are
- fried food
- pizza dough
- pastry
- cookies
- crackers
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Highly-processed foods
People should also avoid highly processed foods when eating a heart-healthy diet. These foods
These include foods such as:
- sugar cereal
- cake
- chips
- cookies
Some people with HCM may benefit from the following lifestyle changes.
Exercise
People with HCM will benefit from exercise but
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- at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity a week
- 75–150 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity a week
A combination of both moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity is also possible.
People who participate in moderate-intensity physical activity beyond 300 minutes a week will have additional health benefits. However, even being lightly active and spending less time sitting has health benefits.
Those with HCM should consult a healthcare professional before increasing their amount of physical activity, especially if they:
- take medication
- have symptoms such as chest pain
- experience shortness of breath
- experience dizziness
Quit smoking
If people smoke, quitting is beneficial for heart health and for those with HCM. The AHA states smoking increases the risk of heart disease by two to four times.
People who continue to smoke throughout their life shorten their lifespan by 11–12 years. Females who smoke have a 25% higher risk of developing heart disease than males who smoke.
Nicotine can raise blood pressure and heart rate. In addition, carbon monoxide deprives the heart, brain, and arteries of oxygen.
Cigarettes also damage the blood cells and cause the blood to become sticky, which can result in blood clots.
Avoid alcohol
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Anyone who does not drink should not start. People who drink alcohol should
- 1–2 drinks per day for men
- 1 drink per day for women
One drink is usually:
- 5 ounces (oz) of wine
- 1.5 oz of spirits such as vodka or gin
- 12 oz of beer
Sleep
Getting enough good quality sleep
Sleep disordered breathing, including conditions such as sleep apnea, is a potential comorbidity of HCM, affecting
Seeking treatment for this may help a person with HCM sleep better.
Stress management
According to a
The following techniques may help people with HCM to manage their stress:
HCM is a heart condition that can affect how well the heart pumps blood.
Following a heart-healthy diet can be helpful for people with HCM. This includes eating a variety of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains and limiting foods high in sodium, sugar, and saturated and trans fats.
Lifestyle changes such as exercising regularly, quitting smoking, and avoiding alcohol may also be beneficial. However, a person with HCM should speak with a doctor before increasing their physical activity.