A cardiac bypass is major surgery for people with severe heart disease. However, even if you need cardiac bypass surgery, it is not too late to embark upon a healthier lifestyle. Following a cardiac diet before surgery and a modified cardiac diet after surgery can help you heal, and live a better life after surgery.
Fruits, Vegetables and Whole Grains
Fruits, vegetables and whole grains are an important part of the cardiac diet for several reasons. Not only are they packed with vitamins and minerals, but they are also high in fiber without being high in calories. MayoClinic.om reports that fruits and vegetables contain heart-disease fight agents, and the inclusion of whole grains in the diet can maintain heart health and control blood pressure. Its suggests keeping fruits and vegetables on hand for snacks, and preparing vegetables in meals with little added fat or salt. In addition, if you're following a cardiac bypass diet, choose whole grains over refined flour, or add ground flax seed to your foods.
Low-Fat Dairy and Lean Meats
Dairy products and meats contain vital nutrients, including iron, calcium and vitamin D. In addition, they are good sources of protein, which is important for the post-surgical healing process. The American Heart Association recommends choosing low-fat dairy products, such as skim milk or reduced-fat yogurts. In addition to lean meats and poultry, it also recommends eating fish regularly for their heart-healthy oils. To maintain heart-healthy standards, cook meats using low-fat methods, such as baking or roasting. Frying adds saturated fats and excess calories.
Foods to Avoid
You should avoid certain foods after cardiac bypass surgery, including those that are high in sodium and saturated fats. Sodium can increase fluid retention, which can force the heart to work harder than it should. Because of this, University of Southern California recommends avoiding salty foods such as lunch meats and cured ham. In addition, excess fats in the diet can increase plaque buildup in the arteries. USC recommends limiting saturated fats to 10 percent of total fat intake, and keeping calories from fat at less than 30 percent of your daily calorie intake. While recommendations vary, USC also reports that those prone to heart failure should try to limit their sodium intake to less than 2,000mg daily.
Possible Complications
After a cardiac bypass, you may experience dietary complications. Some people lose their appetites and find eating adequate amounts of food either difficult or unpleasant. If this is the case, USC recommends eating smaller, more frequent meals. Others may find it easy to take in too many calories, resulting in potential weight gain. USC reports that this may happen when you eat more calories than you burn, or when certain medications stimulate the appetite. Monitoring calories and portion size are important after cardiac surgery to prevent further complications, such as more strain on the heart.
