Can a keto diet cause heart or cardiac problems, and is it safe to follow long-term?
Asked by Male, 41 · 4 hours ago
A keto diet is a very low-carb, high-fat way of eating that can help some people lose weight and manage blood sugar. Its impact on heart health depends on the types of fats you eat, your medical history, and how long you stay on the diet. Eating a lot of processed meats, butter, fried foods, and other unhealthy saturated fats can raise cholesterol levels and increase heart disease risk for some people. Some do well on keto for a short time, but others may experience constipation, weakness, dehydration, nutrient imbalances, higher cholesterol, or changes in heart health over time. If you have diabetes, kidney or liver problems, pancreatitis, or heart disease, you should be extra cautious before starting a strict keto plan. For long-term health, a balanced diet with healthy fats, vegetables, protein, fibre, regular exercise, and slow weight loss is usually safer and easier to stick with. If you notice chest pain, palpitations, dizziness, severe weakness, or unusual cholesterol levels while on keto, your body may not be responding well, and you might need to adjust your diet.
