Heart block is a type of arrhythmia that slows down or stops the electrical signal from the upper chambers (atria) to the lower chambers (ventricles).

This can cause your heart to beat irregularly and slower than normal. Depending on the severity of your heart block, your doctor may recommend a device called a pacemaker to send frequent electrical pulses to keep your heart beating normally.

Broccoli

Broccoli is a nutritious vegetable that contains vitamins, minerals, and fiber. It is also rich in antioxidants, which can help fight free radicals that cause damage to the body and its cells.

A recent study found that eating more broccoli and cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower and cabbage reduces the amount of calcium buildup in arteries. The fatty deposits in artery walls attract calcium and form plaques, which can block blood flow and increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke.

Sulforaphane, a phytochemical found in broccoli, has been shown to boost a natural defence mechanism that protects arteries from disease by slowing the progression of atherosclerosis. The chemical also acts as a histone deacetylase inhibitor and helps to rewire metabolic pathways.

Eating broccoli can also improve blood lipid levels, including “bad” LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. It can also lower insulin resistance and improve blood sugar control in people with diabetes. This is because of the dietary fiber that is found in broccoli.

Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate, or cocoa, is loaded with nutrients that can improve your heart health. Its antioxidants can help reduce high blood pressure, prevent blood clots and improve circulation.

Eating chocolate regularly can also lower your risk of diabetes and other heart conditions. It also increases nitric oxide levels in your body, which can help keep your blood vessels relaxed.

The flavonols in chocolate, including epicatechin, also fight inflammation. Chronic inflammation is known to lead to cardiovascular disease, so keeping it under control can help prevent it.

In fact, research shows that people who eat dark chocolate daily in small servings have significantly lower blood levels of C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation.

Despite its potential benefits, it’s still important to exercise moderation when eating chocolate. It’s still packed with calories and can lead to weight gain, so limit yourself to a small amount of it each day.

Green Tea

According to recent research, green tea can help break up and dissolve potentially dangerous protein plaques found in blood vessels that can lead to heart blockage. A compound in green tea called EGCG, however, must be consumed in large amounts to be effective.

Various epidemiological, clinical, and experimental studies have demonstrated a positive correlation between the consumption of green tea and improved cardiovascular health. Among the polyphenolic compounds in green tea, catechins exert vascular protective effects through multiple mechanisms.

The catechins in green tea have antioxidative, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, anti-thrombogenic, and lipid-lowering activities. These actions may be attributed to a wide range of biochemical pathways, including scavenging of free radicals, chelating redox active transition-metal ions, inhibiting redox active transcription factors, inducing antioxidant enzymes, and improving blood lipid profile.

Nevertheless, more research is needed before definitive conclusions can be reached regarding the effect of green tea on health. It is also important to be aware of the adverse effects associated with its consumption, especially in people with hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, kidney disease, and liver problems.

Walnuts

Walnuts are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to lower your risk of heart disease. They also contain melatonin, which can help regulate your sleep patterns and reduce stress.

A new study found that eating walnuts on a regular basis can improve your heart health over time. Researchers from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health analyzed dietary data from 3,092 young adults for 20 years and followed their physical and clinical measurements for 30 years.

The main goal of the study was to determine whether walnut consumers had a better diet pattern and a better cardiovascular risk factor profile compared with other nut and no nut consumers over the course of the follow-up period.

The results showed that, compared to other nut and no nut consumers, those who ate walnuts on a regular basis had significantly lower fasting blood glucose concentrations and LDL cholesterol levels over the follow-up period. They also had higher self-reported physical activity scores than the other nut and no nut consumers.