[ref: http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=518455
"Question about Fish Oil Vitamin"]

Why would people with clogged arteries have to avoid avacado's?

I think they are very high in saturated fats as they are very high in calories. However I thought it was a good kind of fat like olive oil.

I think he was talking about potasium and that this could be bad for some folks conditions.

If you are taking an Ace inhibitor you do not want to add potassium to your diet but unless you were going to pig out on Avocados I doubt that eating them once in a while would hurt. I know orange juice, bananas and melons are high in potassium but can be eating in moderation. Will have to ask the cardiologist next time.

If you are taking an Ace inhibitor you do not want to add potassium to your diet but unless you were going to pig out on Avocados I doubt that eating them once in a while would hurt. I know orange juice, bananas and melons are high in potassium but can be eating in moderation. Will have to ask the cardiologist next time.

Do you mean you will ask your cardiologist how too much potassium affects the heart? Or are you saying that our potassium intake has to be closely watched in certain heart conditions? What did he tell you about this mineral? :confused:

I can understand being afraid of becoming hyperkalemic. Until recently I was on three potassium-sparing meds at one time and lived with constant fear of having too much potassium in my system. There are so many fruits and veggies (and other foods) containing potassium. And, of course, that's exactly what we are told to eat to stay/get healthy. :D I find it almost impossible to keep track of my potassium intake. I saw a great chart on the potassium content of all fruits and veggies from the highest to lowest. I wish I had printed it out. Now I can't find it.
By the way, many other meds besides the ACE Inhibitors affect our potassium levels. Among the meds with the potential to elevate our potassium levels, certain beta blockers (Propranolol and Atenolol) have that effect in some patients.

Flowergirl

I just thought I would ask him about eating things with potassium in general. I just don't think that an avocado needs to be avoided because of potassium unless you are eating them with any great regulairty. I have never had a problem with my pottasium and have taken Ace inhibitors for years but my friend did when she did not cut down her potassium foods when given an ACE. She was called in to ER after her blood test was done and hospitalized till it could get out of her system. They also changed her BP med to an Angio. I can't take BB anyway because I have asthma and I don't need Atenol. I only take 10mg of Lisinopril.

Canyondweller,

I just don't think that an avocado needs to be avoided because of potassium unless you are eating them with any great regulairty.

I agree with you on that. For those who like the taste and don't mind the fat content, go for it. "Everything in moderation" is a good rule to live by. A bit of an avocado now and then can't hurt.

she did not cut down her potassium foods when given an ACE. She was called in to ER after her blood test was done and hospitalized till it could get out of her system.

I knew I had a good reason to fear excessive potassium! Your friend was on one medication only that changes the potassium levels. I was/am on max dose of the ACE plus two others. (just one other potassium sparing med now). And I eat a lot of fruit and do not track my potassium intake!

I too have breathing problems and had to go off the beta blockers for that reason. :)

Flowergirl

She continued with her banana and orange juice after she was put on the ACE as she had done for years because potassium is good for you. Some of her blood work for kidneys was a little iffy but they don't know if that was a temporary thing because of the high potassium. I have not heard. Actually they called her at 2AM when someone read her blood test and told her to go to ER right away. She thought they were crazy and said she would come in in the morning after our coffee hour which she did and then they hospitalized her. She felt fine but it was really high. So I guess you need to watch it.

Starting a new thread as y'all are no longer talking about the original topic, which was Fish Oil. Please stay on thread topic and start a new thread when you have questions about another topic. This thread is about potassium.

Thanks for the info, Canyondweller. :)

Do you take fish oil? Many doctors are now starting to recommend it for cardiovascular health. I have been on it for 8 months now.
I will limit my consumption of bananas and oranges. Thanks for the warning - we know how deadly high potassium can be! I hope your friend is doing OK.

Flowergirl