Diet for Heart Surgery

Undergoing any type of surgery can be frightening. There are many variables and unknown factors that can cause patients to worry about the procedure. Heart surgery is a very extensive process and the patient should be well aware of what they need to do to prepare. Those patients that are going to undergo heart surgery should pay close attention to their diet. Heart patients should adopt a few diet changes in order to have a smoother transition before and after their heart surgery.

Low Sodium Diet

One of the first things any heart patient should do is to cut back on the amount of sodium or salt that consumed in the daily diet. Individuals generally do not realize how much salt they are consuming per day. For example, if a person buys frozen dinners or other packaged foods, these items contain salt and if he adds additional salt he may be ingesting double the recommended daily salt intake without realizing it. Cutting down on the amount of salt will be extremely helpful for the surgery preparation period.

High salt intake can cause the body to retain water and other fluids. This is not a good practice especially for a heart patient because the extra fluid can end up in the veins or the arteries. This can cause problems with blood flow and the overall function of the heart. Heart patients should aim to consume 2,000 mg or less of sodium in their diet per day before the surgery. Patients should watch their intake of certain meats such as pork and beware of prepackaged foods, cereal, soups and even some vegetables. Once patients become familiar with the foods they should avoid, he or she can come up with the best ways for them to avoid salt in their daily diet.

Add a Little Variety and Spice it Up

A heart patient can enjoy a vast amount of different foods on a heart-healthy diet. She should not feel as though she has to give up all the foods she loves. A healthy heart diet can include a patient's favorite meats, but be sure to choose lean meats. Fish such as salmon and trout are also acceptable. Whenever possible patients should make sure to bake and not fry their meals. Heart patients can also prepare food by broiling or steaming it. Low-fat dairy products are encouraged on the diet and patients should be sure to include daily sources of carbohydrates. It is vital to watch portion sizes and to cut back on the amount of sugar ingested. Patients can enjoy a variety of fruits and vegetables. Water is also very important; patients should make sure to get plenty of water each day before and after the heart surgery.

Helpful Reminders

Diet is crucial but heart patients should not forget about exercise. Heart patients should try to incorporate exercise into their daily regimen. Walking, running, swimming and tennis are all ways to get the blood pumping. Before the surgery, doctors may recommend a low calorie or a reduced calorie diet for some heart patients.