Q&A with Dr. Kline: Clearing up the heart health confusion

HonorHealth - Q&A with Dr. Kline: Clearing up the Heart Health Confusion.

Let's face it—the heart health messages out there are confusing! Wine may be good for your heart, but you should avoid alcohol. Chocolate can be a part of a heart healthy lifestyle, but don't eat too much sugar. With all this competing advice, how do you determine what's actually good for you and what's not?

We turned to Lawrence Kline, DO, a cardiologist with HonorHealth Heart Group - Arrowhead, to clear up the confusion. Here's what he had to say.

Q: How can I keep my heart healthy?

A: If you want to keep your heart healthy, I would recommend that if you do smoke, quit. Don't drink in excess and get serious about your diet and exercise.

Some foods that are great for a heart healthy diet include:

  • Vegetables and fruits.
  • Whole grains such as oatmeal, brown rice and quinoa.
  • Lean proteins such as salmon, skinless poultry and tofu.
  • Healthy fats such as nuts, avocado and vegetable oils.

You'll also want to avoid or limit certain foods that may increase your risk for heart disease. These foods include:

  • Red meat.
  • Egg yolks.
  • Whole-fat dairy products.
  • Shellfish.
  • Sugar.
  • Highly salted food.

Q: You mentioned I should avoid or limit alcohol and sugar—but what about wine and chocolate? I've always heard those are heart healthy.

A: They are—to a certain extent! Wine and chocolate, specifically red wine and minimally processed dark chocolate, are high in antioxidants, which increase levels of HDL, or "good" cholesterol. HDL cholesterol defends your arteries against damage.

It is important to note that red wine and dark chocolate have a protective effect when enjoyed in moderation. That means one 5-ounce glass of wine per day for women and two for men, or 1.5-3 ounces of dark chocolate. Consuming more than that recommendation can actually have the opposite effect.

Wine and chocolate are by no means a necessary part of a heart healthy lifestyle. There are plenty of other foods that are high in antioxidants and have a similar protective effect for your heart.

Q: What should I be on the lookout for as far as heart health goes?

A: You should be aware of the symptoms of a heart attack—if you ever experience sudden shortness of breath, nausea or cold sweats, unusual light-headedness, weakness or dizziness, pressure, squeezing or fullness in your chest or anxiety and these symptoms last for two or more minutes, call 911 immediately. These symptoms tend to be more subtle in women than in men. Women may not feel the crushing chest pain that many of us associate with a heart attack.

Many people with heart disease don't have strong symptoms before having a heart attack. The best way to know if you are at risk is to know your numbers including blood pressure, cholesterol, waist circumference and blood sugar.

Q: Where can I go to get these tests?

A: Talk to your primary care doctor—these are all standard tests that can be done in your doctor's office.

If you don't have a primary care doctor, call 623-580-5800 to find a doctor who can do these tests.