Cardiologists are asking you to eat more of this high protein food if you are over 60 initially appeared on a parade.
More than 5% of American adults have heart disease, which makes it an incredibly common medical condition. Unfortunately, heart disease is also the leading cause of the death of men and women, causing one of three deaths.
As its risk of development increases with age, cardiologists say it is crucial to pay attention to your risk factors when you get older. Although there are some risks to the development of heart disease that you cannot control (like your genetics), lifestyle factors (like your diet) are largely under your control.
Heart diets tend to focus on fruits and vegetables, but choosing the right protein is also a decisive element of eating in support of heart health, according to Dr. Chen-Khan Chen, Dr., Interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart program at the MemorialCare SaddleBack Medical Center in Laguna Hills, California.
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Not all protein is created equal when it comes to heart health. “The effects of protein on heart health depend on the source of the protein,” points out D -S Supreeti Behuria, MD, Director of hypertension at the University Hospital in Staton Island.
With this in mind, there is a high-protein food cardiologists who recommend you to aim regularly to support your heart health if you are over 60.
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High -protein food cardiologists want you to eat if you are over 60
If you are over 60, cardiologists recommend adding salmon to your plate more often. “Salmon is a high quality protein and an excellent choice for heart health,” says Dr. Chen. “This is one of the best natural sources of omega-3 fatty acids.”
Dr. Buhuria agrees, explaining: “Salmon is a good source of high quality protein that is relatively high for omega-3 fatty acids.”
Omega-3 fatty acids can help increase HDL (“good”) cholesterol in the body and lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, says Dr. Chen. High levels of LDL cholesterol are associated with plaque accumulation in the arteries, which increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Omega-3 fatty acids in salmon can also help reduce inflammation in the body, according to Dr. Bhuria. While some short -term inflammation in the body can be beneficial for repairing and healing tissues, chronic inflammation is associated with many serious health conditions, including type 2 diabetes and cancer.
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Omega-3 fatty acids also support the function of healthy blood vessels, says Dr. Chen. Not only healthy blood vessels allow the cardiovascular system to transfer oxygen and nutrients to the body, but good vascular health is also associated with a decreased risk of heart attack, stroke and peripheral artery, he explains.
It is worth noting: 3.5 ounces of serving sauces of salmon has 22.3 grams of protein, according to the Ministry of Agriculture of the United States (USDA).
Why is protein important to the health of the heart with advancing age
Many people do not associate protein to heart health, but cardiologists say there is a certain relationship here. “Protein maintains heart health by helping to maintain muscle mass,” says Dr. Chen. “Because the heart itself is a muscle, maintaining the common muscle strength can benefit from its function.”
Protein also maintains healthy blood vessels and helps to repair the tissues, he said. And it can also help you maintain a healthy weight, says Dr. Chen, adding: “They all contribute to cardiovascular health with advancing age.”
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How to include more fish in your diet
Dietary guidelines for Americans recommend eating seafood twice a week, but only 19% of Americans have actually hit these recommendations.
Dr. Chen offers to strive to have two portions of fish rich in omega-3 week. If you do not want to eat salmon as often, he recommends spinning in fish like mackerel and fever. “Prepare them in a healthy heartfelt way, such as baking or grill, not frying,” recommends Dr. Bhuria.
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Sources:
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Distribution of heart disease, centers for the control and prevention of diseases
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Facts about heart disease, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Health and Aging of the Heart, National Institute for Aging
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LDL: “Bad” cholesterol, Medline Plus
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Chavda VP, et al. Inflammation: The cause of all diseases. Cells. 2024 Doi: 10.3390/cells13221906.
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Dr. Supreeti Behuria, D.M.
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Dr. Chen-Khan Chen, Intervention Cardiologist and Medical Director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, California
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Food Central, the United States Ministry of Agriculture
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Dietary guidelines for Americans
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Errickson LB, et al. Trends in consumption of seafood among US consumers: influences of the Covid-19 pandemic. Foods. 2024. Doi: 10.3390/Foods13172682.
Cardiologists are asking you to eat more of this high protein food if you are over 60 for the first time it appeared at a parade on August 16, 2025.
This story was originally reported by Parade on August 16, 2025, where it first appeared.