Cardiovascular diseases

1. Alcohol Findings about the relationship between alcohol and cardiovascular disease indicate both a favorable and an unfavorable relationship. Moderate alcohol consumption (up to 15 grams per day, which equates to a maximum of 1.5 glasses) is associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease, but higher consumption increases the risk of stroke. Read more about alcohol.

1. ; Are there any signs that your arteries are clogging? Do you have high blood pressure? Or have you, for example, had a heart attack or stroke? Healthy eating is usually part of your treatment plan, in addition to medication. Healthy eating contributes to good care for your body and a fitter feeling. Your doctor is leading in your treatment and will determine whether you need cholesterol or blood pressure lowering drugs. Your doctor can refer you to a dietician. Also only use products containing plant sterols or stanols, such as special margarines and yoghurt drinks, on the advice of the doctor.

Fees

1. Do you have heart and / or vascular disease? Then you will receive a reimbursement from your health insurance. Are you also overweight? Then you are also eligible for a combined lifestyle intervention. Find out about nutritional and lifestyle advice reimbursements.

The Disk of Five as a basis

1. If you eat according to the Wheel of Five you take good care of yourself, even if you have cardiovascular disease. The Wheel of Five contains foods that are good for heart and blood vessels, such as vegetables, fruit, whole grain products, nuts and fish. Do not take products outside of the Wheel of Five too much or too often. Think of liquorice, salty snacks, cold cuts, white bread, soft drinks and alcohol. Useful pages to view: Overview: what does the Wheel of Five contain? This way you eat enough fiber 250 grams of vegetables per day: that's what it looks like 200 grams of fruit per day: that's what it looks like

Healthy weight

1. If you are overweight, losing weight helps to lower your blood pressure. Losing weight is also good for your cholesterol. Especially if you have a large belly size. With our BMI meter you can calculate whether you have a healthy weight. Or take a look at our pages about losing weight. If you are overweight, losing 5 to 15% weight can already improve your blood pressure.

Special considerations for cardiovascular disease

1. 1. Replace saturated fat with unsaturated fat It is healthy for your blood vessels to replace butter and hard margarines with oils and margarine and low-fat margarine in a tub. Which fats are unhealthy? Take low-fat dairy products Cheese, milk and other dairy products contain saturated fat. Yet they are products that are good for your health. Therefore choose products with less fat, such as 20+ and 30+ cheeses, mozzarella, cottage cheese and dairy spread and for semi-skimmed and skimmed milk (products). 3. Moderate with meat, vary with fish, legumes, eggs and nuts If you want to take good care of your heart and blood vessels, we recommend that you stick to at least every week: Legumes, such as kidney beans, lentils and chickpeas once a week 1x per week oily fish, such as salmon, herring and mackerel A handful of unsalted nuts every day Maximum 300 grams of red meat (beef and pork) 2 to 3 eggs (3 to 4 for vegetarians) 4. No alcohol Alcohol increases blood pressure from 2 glasses a day. The advice is not to drink alcohol, or if you want to drink it, limit this to 1 glass a day. 5. As little unfiltered coffee as possible Unfiltered coffee increases LDL cholesterol due to the substance cafestol. It is therefore better not to drink boiled coffee (where you pour water directly into the coffee powder) and coffee from the cafetière. Regular coffee is possible. View the coffee recommendations. 6. Get enough exercise At least 2.5 hours of exercise every week reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, while sitting still often increases the risk. Brisk walking, cycling, vacuuming, gardening: it all counts. 7. Do not smoke Not smoking and quitting smoking reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Advice in pictures

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