What sort of diet is best for someone with heart failure in the UK?
When you have heart failure, your diet is just as important as your medication. The food you eat directly affects how much fluid your body holds onto and how hard your heart has to work. In the UK, our traditional diet can be high in processed foods that are ‘noble’ traps for salt and unhealthy fats. By shifting toward a diet that prioritises fresh, whole ingredients and strictly limits salt, you can significantly reduce symptoms like breathlessness and ankle swelling. A heart-healthy diet is a commitment to your long-term stability and quality of life.
What We’ll Discuss in This Article
- Why salt (sodium) is the enemy of heart failure
- Hidden salt in common UK foods like bread and cereal
- Adopting the Mediterranean-style diet pattern
- Understanding the ‘Traffic Light’ food labelling system
- Practical alternatives to salt for flavouring meals
- The importance of eating in moderation
- When to seek specialist advice from a dietitian
The Focus: Reducing Salt (Sodium)
Salt is the most critical dietary factor in heart failure. Salt acts like a sponge, pulling water into your bloodstream and increasing the volume of blood your heart must pump.
The UK Salt Goal:
Most adults in the UK eat about 8g to 9g of salt per day. For someone with heart failure, the target is usually less than 6g per day (about one level teaspoon).
Hidden Salt in the UK Diet:
You might be surprised to learn that 75% of the salt we eat is already in the food we buy.
| High Salt UK Foods | Why it is a ‘Noble’ Risk |
| Bread and Crumpets | Bread is one of the biggest sources of salt in the UK diet. |
| Processed Meats | Bacon, sausages, and ham are cured with large amounts of salt. |
| Ready Meals | Even ‘healthy’ looking supermarket meals can be very high in sodium. |
| Canned Soups | Often contain a high concentration of salt as a preservative. |
| Hard Cheeses | Cheddar and Stilton are significantly saltier than fresh cheeses. |
The Mediterranean Pattern
What to include:
- Fruit and Vegetables: Aim for at least five portions a day. They are naturally low in salt and high in potassium, which helps the heart.
- Whole Grains: Choose brown bread, wholemeal pasta, and oats to help manage cholesterol and blood pressure.
- Healthy Fats: Replace butter and lard with olive oil or rapeseed oil.
- Lean Protein: Focus on fish (especially oily fish like mackerel or sardines), beans, lentils, and poultry rather than red meat.
Reading UK Food Labels
In the UK, we use a traffic light system on food packaging.4 This is a tool to help you make quick, safe choices while shopping.
- Green (Low): The best choice. For salt, this is 0.3g or less per 100g.
- Amber (Medium): Use in moderation.
- Red (High): Avoid these where possible. For salt, this is more than 1.5g per 100g.
Alternatives to Salt
Reducing salt does not mean your food must be tasteless. You can use alternatives to bring out the flavour of your meals:
- Fresh Herbs: Basil, parsley, coriander, and rosemary add a depth to cooking.
- Spices: Use black pepper, cumin, turmeric, or paprika for heat and flavour.
- Acid: A squeeze of lemon or lime juice can ‘brighten’ a dish in the same way salt does.
- Garlic and Ginger: These provide strong, healthy aromatics for stir-fries and stews.
A Warning on Salt Substitutes:
Be very careful with ‘low-salt’ substitutes (like Lo-Salt). These often replace sodium with potassium. If you are taking heart failure medications like ACE inhibitors or Spironolactone, extra potassium can be dangerously for your heart. Always ask your doctor before using them.
Spiritual Wisdom on Nutrition
The importance of eating well and in moderation is reflected in religious teachings. In the Quran, we are reminded of the balance required in our consumption.
Eat and drink, but be not excessive. Indeed, He does not like those who commit excess.
Similarly, holy Prophet Muhammad taught the principle of moderation in eating, suggesting that a person should fill one-third of their stomach with food, one-third with drink, and leave one-third for easy breathing.5 For a heart failure patient, this advice is a literal medical necessity to prevent the stomach from pressing against the diaphragm and making breathing harder.
Conclusion
The best diet for heart failure in the UK is one that is low in salt and rich in fresh, Mediterranean-style ingredients. By moving away from processed UK staples like salty bread and cured meats, and embracing the simplicity of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins, you give your heart the best environment in which to function. Reading the traffic light labels on your food and using herbs and spices instead of the salt shaker are habits that will help you stay stable and out of the hospital. Your diet is a powerful form of self-care that works alongside your medication to protect your heart every day.
Emergency Guidance
If you have a ‘salty’ meal and notice a sudden weight gain of 2kg in two days, or if your breathlessness suddenly worsens, call your heart failure nurse. This is a sign that the salt has caused acute fluid retention.
Is it okay to eat out at a restaurant?
Yes, but it is a challenge. Most restaurant food is high in salt. Ask the waiter for your dish to be prepared without extra salt, and avoid dishes with heavy sauces, gravies, or processed meats.
Can I drink alcohol?
Alcohol can weaken the heart muscle further. Most UK guidelines suggest no more than 14 units a week, spread over at least three days. However, for some types of heart failure, your doctor may advise you to avoid it entirely.
Does the Quranic view on being a steward of one’s body apply to diet?
Yes. Your body is a trust (‘Amanah’) given to you. Taking the initiative to eat a heart-healthy diet is a way of fulfilling your responsibility to care for that trust.
Why is bread so bad for my heart?
In the UK, salt is added to bread to help with the texture and shelf life. Just two slices of some supermarket breads can contain nearly a quarter of your daily salt limit.
Are frozen vegetables healthy?
Yes! Frozen vegetables are often just as as fresh ones and sometimes even better as they are frozen shortly after picking. Just ensure they are plain and not in a salty butter or sauce.
Should I take vitamins or supplements?
Most people with heart failure get all the nutrients they need from a Mediterranean diet. Some supplements can interact with your heart tablets, so always check with your pharmacist first.
Is a vegan diet good for heart failure?
A well-planned plant-based diet can be very for the heart. However, you must be careful with ‘vegan ready meals’, which are often highly processed and very high in salt.
Authority Snapshot
This article was written by Dr. Stefan Petrov, a UK-trained physician with experience in emergency care and general medicine. Dr. Petrov has supported many patients in the effort to manage their heart failure through lifestyle changes. This guide follows the clinical standards set by NICE and the British Heart Foundation to provide a practical, UK-focused nutritional roadmap for heart health.
