Diet and Recovery in Heart Attack

The diet during Acute Myocardial Infarction is rather individualized and can't be accorded to some clinical studies. Many patients are usually ill, anorectic, with a loss in apetite and nauseates. In case of a severe ventricular disfunction associated with an increases cardiac demand food ingestion may be deleterious and even harmful.

For the first 24 hours these patients are recommended to take a clear liquid diet. The risk of nausea and vomiting is persistent and din this case the person giving after-care should always admit the risk of aspiration and suffocation in case of vomiting.

What are recommended quantities of food?

The liquid intake may be kept to less than 2 liters per day, this will maintain the urine output of 800 to 1000 ml. Also, the food and liquids should be low in sodium, i. e. not acid or salty. Simple table water is the best remedy for rehydratation. In low risk patients or on day 2 and after the diet must include products low in calories, low saturated fats, low in cholesterol. The diet must contain natural dietary bulk, to reduce constipation and prevent the intestinal occlusion.

Even if the cooll or warm beverages aren't prove to have some deleterious effects, it would be wise to avoid the temperature extremes during this period. Heavily caffeinated beverages are proscribed.

Tobacco is prohibited - smoke releases cathecolamines and leads to the coronary spasm, also it contains carbon monoxide and this leads to a generalized hypoxemia. Also, tobacco poses a fire hazard, especially if the oxygen is in use.

Alcohol is restricted - although it is unlikely that small doses will pose a health hazard, it would be smart to avoid such extremes during a heart attack recovery. The hospital period is a good time for dietary changes - the patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction are usually motivated to start a new dietary schedule. They are in most part overweight, hyperlipidemic, or diabetic and they gladly join a special diet that will inspire the hope that something better can be done.

Relatives or persons offering their after-care to such patients must give all their support to help the convalescent patient regain his/her health and start a healthy life-style. Anyway, these changes must not be applied on elderly, especially if they are not overweight and have a normal lipid profile.

Updated: April, 14 2008 00:16:13

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