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Nutrition and daily life

Leukemia and heart disease: salt, fluid and healthy fats

Some leukemia medicines (anthracyclines, some TKIs) can affect the heart, and heart disease complicates treatment. Eating well helps protect the heart. This section covers the main principles.

Last updated: ~1 min read
Baked fish, vegetables, olive oil.
Figure 1.A heart-friendly plate.

01Short answer

Cut down on salt; ready meals, sausages, pickles and canned foods are the biggest sources. Choose vegetables, fruit (safely prepared), whole grains, legumes and cooked fish, and use olive oil instead of butter. With heart failure there may be a fluid limit; follow your team and weigh yourself every morning. Report a gain of more than 1–2 kg in 2–3 days, swollen legs or breathlessness. If you take warfarin, keep your intake of vitamin K-rich vegetables steady.

02Simple explanation

Less salt.

Olive oil, fish, legumes.

Fluid within limits.

Weigh each morning.

03Scientific explanation

The DASH eating plan (NHLBI): vegetables, fruit, whole grains and little salt lower blood pressure and the load on the heart.

ESPEN: enough energy and protein matter for preventing weight and muscle loss in people with cancer, and nutritional status should be assessed regularly.

NCI: practical eating tips exist for treatment side effects such as nausea, taste changes and mouth sores.

04What happens in the body?

Cardio-oncology

With heart-affecting medicines, the heart is monitored by echocardiography.

A salt shaker and sausages in shadow.
Figure 2.Salt and sausage aside.

Caffeine and energy drinks

They can cause palpitations; limit them.

A soft cushion on a footstool.
Figure 3.Legs up — Leukemia and heart disease: salt, fluid and healthy fats

Dietitian

If you are losing weight, have no appetite or need a special diet, ask to see the hospital dietitian.

Food safety

Food-safety rules for neutropenia (see “Handwashing: the simplest protection” and “Eggs and dairy: safe choices”) apply at every stage.

05Nutrition: four steps

Assess, swap the risky, cook safely, eat regularly.

Assess — Weight and appetite.1AssessWeight and appetite.
Swap — A safe choice.2SwapA safe choice.
Cook — Hot throughout.3CookHot throughout.
Eat regularly — Small portions.4Eat regularlySmall portions.
StrengthEnergy.
ProteinFor muscle.
SafetyFood rules.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
Cardio-oncologyWith heart-affecting medicines, the heart is monitored by echocardiography.
Caffeine and energy drinksThey can cause palpitations; limit them.
DietitianIf you are losing weight, have no appetite or need a special diet, ask to see the hospital dietitian.
Food safetyFood-safety rules for neutropenia (see “Handwashing: the simplest protection” and “Eggs and dairy: safe choices”) apply at every stage.

07Key terms

Heart failure
The heart cannot pump enough blood.
Anthracyclines
A group of chemotherapy drugs that can affect the heart.
Dietitian
A nutrition specialist.
Protein
A nutrient for repairing muscles and tissues.
Neutropenia
Low neutrophils.

08Key points

  • Cut salt.
  • Healthy fats.
  • Watch your weight.
  • A diet is not a treatment.
  • Talk to a dietitian.

09Frequently asked questions

Is salt completely banned?

No, a little; your team sets the limit.

Should I take fish oil?

Only with your team's agreement, because of bleeding risk.

Can a special diet cure leukemia?

No. Good nutrition helps you cope with treatment, but it does not cure.

10Questions for your doctor

Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.

  1. Is salt completely banned?

  2. Should I take fish oil?

  3. Can a special diet cure leukemia?

My questions

12Sources

  1. NHLBI. DASH Eating Plan
  2. National Cancer Institute. Eating Hints: Before, During, and After Cancer Treatment
  3. ESPEN. ESPEN practical guideline: Clinical Nutrition in cancer (2021)
  4. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Food and Nutrition
  5. World Health Organization. Healthy diet fact sheet
  6. World Health Organization (WHO). Malnutrition — fact sheet
  7. Cancer Research UK. Diet problems and cancer
  8. MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine). Carbohydrates
  9. NHS. Starchy foods and carbohydrates
  10. World Health Organization (WHO). Carbohydrate intake for adults and children: WHO guideline (2023)
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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