Cardiac Diet
Overview
A cardiac diet targets the modifiable risk factors for coronary artery disease, heart failure, and hypertension through three pillars: sodium restriction, fat modification, and fiber promotion. Sodium is typically limited to less than 2,000 mg/day (some heart-failure guidelines specify 1,500 mg/day) to reduce fluid retention, lower blood pressure, and decrease cardiac workload. The pattern emphasizes unsaturated fats, omega-3-rich fish, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins, aligning closely with the DASH and Mediterranean patterns. Fluid restriction (typically 1,500-2,000 mL/day) is NOT a default cardiac-diet component; it is added only when the client has heart failure.
Interpretation
Don't confuse cardiac sodium limits with the renal diet. Cardiac diets actually encourage potassium-rich foods like bananas and oranges; potassium restriction belongs to the renal (CKD) diet unless renal function is impaired.
Cardiac diet vs Renal (CKD) diet
Cardiac diet
- Sodium
- Restrict (<2,000 mg/day)
- Saturated/trans fat
- Limit; favor unsaturated fats
- Potassium
- Encouraged (bananas, oranges)
Renal (CKD) diet
- Sodium
- Restrict
- Saturated/trans fat
- Not the primary focus
- Potassium
- Restricted
Patient Teaching
Cardiac Fats
Fat quality and heart-healthy foods.
Clinical Pearl
Low sodium is the heart of the cardiac diet, and processed, canned, and cured foods are the hidden salt. Think DASH, not just slash: swap, don't just stop.