What is the Diet for Cardiovascular Disease? Guidelines and Foods

November 15, 2025 •

3 min read

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally, accounting for an estimated 19.8 million deaths in 2022. Adopting a specific diet for cardiovascular disease can significantly reduce risks by managing blood pressure and cholesterol levels. This guide outlines key dietary principles endorsed by major health organizations.

Quick Summary

Outlines effective dietary patterns, such as the DASH and Mediterranean diets, focusing on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Details foods to consume regularly and those to limit for improved heart health and function.

Key Points

Prioritize Plants: Build meals around vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains.
Choose Healthy Fats: Use liquid plant oils like olive or canola oil instead of butter or tropical oils.
Limit Sodium: Reduce salt intake to below 2,300 mg daily, ideally closer to 1,500 mg, by avoiding processed foods.
Select Lean Protein: Opt for fish (especially oily fish), poultry without skin, and plant proteins over red and processed meats.
Minimize Added Sugar: Limit consumption of sugary drinks, snacks, and desserts to less than 10% of daily calories.

Key Principles of a Cardiovascular Diet

Cardiovascular diets, such as the Mediterranean and DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diets, generally emphasize whole, minimally processed foods.

1. Control Portion Sizes

Managing how much you eat is as crucial as what you eat. Overloading your plate can lead to excessive calorie intake, contributing to weight gain and increased cardiovascular risk. Using smaller plates and paying attention to serving sizes (e.g., a serving of meat is about the size of a deck of cards) can help.

2. Emphasize Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants, which help protect against heart disease. Aim for at least five servings per day, focusing on a wide variety of colors. Frozen and low-sodium canned options are acceptable alternatives to fresh.

3. Choose Whole Grains

Whole grains provide essential fiber that helps manage cholesterol and blood pressure. Replace refined grains with options like whole-wheat bread, brown rice, oats, and quinoa.

4. Select Healthy Proteins

Prioritize plant-based proteins (legumes, nuts, seeds) and fish, particularly oily fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon and mackerel. Limit red meat and avoid processed meats such as bacon and hot dogs, which are linked to higher CVD risk.

5. Limit Unhealthy Fats

Reduce intake of saturated and trans fats. These fats can raise LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels, leading to plaque buildup in arteries. Replace them with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats found in olive oil, canola oil, nuts, and avocados.

6. Reduce Sodium Intake

High sodium intake is directly linked to high blood pressure, a major CVD risk factor. The American Heart Association recommends an ideal limit of no more than 1,500 milligrams (mg) per day for most adults, with an upper limit of 2,300 mg. Most sodium comes from processed and restaurant foods, not table salt.

Foods to Eat vs. Foods to Limit Table


Food Group	Heart-Healthy Choices (Eat)	Limit or Avoid (Unhealthy)
Grains	Whole grains (oats, brown rice, quinoa, whole-wheat bread/pasta)	Refined grains (white bread, white rice, sugary cereals, pastries)
Proteins	Fish (salmon, tuna), legumes (lentils, beans), nuts, seeds, skinless poultry, fat-free dairy	Fatty meats, processed meats (sausage, deli meat), organ meats, full-fat dairy
Fats/Oils	Olive oil, canola oil, avocado oil, nuts, seeds	Butter, lard, shortening, coconut oil, palm oil, partially hydrogenated oils
Fruits & Vegetables	All fresh, frozen, or low-sodium canned varieties	Canned fruit in heavy syrup, fried vegetables, vegetables in creamy sauces
Beverages	Water, unsweetened tea/coffee, low-fat milk	Sugar-sweetened beverages (soda, fruit drinks), excessive alcohol

Sample Day on a Cardiovascular Diet

Breakfast: Oatmeal made with skim milk or unsweetened soy milk, topped with berries and a sprinkle of ground flaxseed.
Lunch: Large salad with mixed greens, chickpeas, walnuts, and vegetables, dressed with olive oil and lemon juice.
Dinner: Baked salmon with a side of steamed broccoli and quinoa.
Snacks: A handful of almonds, an apple, or non-fat Greek yogurt.

Conclusion

Adopting a diet for cardiovascular disease is a critical step in preventing complications and improving long-term heart health. By prioritizing whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins while significantly reducing sodium, added sugars, and unhealthy fats, individuals can effectively manage risk factors such as high blood pressure and cholesterol. Consistency in these dietary patterns, such as the widely recommended Mediterranean or DASH diets, is key to success. Consult with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian to create a personalized plan. For further reading on heart-healthy guidelines, visit the American Heart Association (AHA) website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Foods to strictly limit or avoid include processed meats (bacon, sausage, deli meats), foods with trans fats (partially hydrogenated oils), high-sodium products (canned soups, frozen dinners, chips), and drinks with high added sugars.

Red meat should be limited, not necessarily strictly avoided. Choose lean cuts and limit consumption to one to three times per week. Avoid processed forms entirely. Replacing red meat with fish or legumes is a better heart-healthy strategy.

The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet is an eating plan designed to lower blood pressure. It emphasizes vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, and includes fat-free or low-fat dairy products, fish, poultry, beans, and nuts, while limiting sodium and sweets.

Recent research suggests eggs have a neutral effect on heart health for the general population. However, if you have high LDL cholesterol or diabetes, some guidelines suggest limiting intake to no more than seven eggs per week.

Liquid plant oils rich in unsaturated fats are best. These include olive oil, canola oil, soybean oil, and sunflower oil. Avoid tropical oils like coconut and palm oil, which are high in saturated fats.

The recommended daily sodium intake for heart health is generally less than 2,300 milligrams (mg), with an ideal limit of 1,500 mg for individuals with high blood pressure.

It is generally recommended to obtain nutrients from whole foods rather than supplements. Supplements do not offer the same protective effects as a heart-healthy diet. Always consult your doctor before starting any supplements, especially fish oil.