Taking steps to stay healthy and improve your overall health is vital before you undergo heart surgery. Your physician may recommend following a healthy diet before heart surgery to boost your immune system. A healthy diet also helps you lose weight, which reduces the amount of fat surrounding your organs. This can improve your surgical outcomes because your surgeon can more accurately target the heart.
Low-Sodium
If you are experiencing heart failure, your physician will recommend cutting back on sodium-containing foods. This is because excess sodium in your diet can contribute to high blood pressure, which can put greater strain on your heart. Aim to consume 2,000 mg of sodium per day, unless your physician directs otherwise. If you are on corticosteroid medications like prednisone, your physician may decrease your sodium intake further. Avoid foods high in sodium like Canadian bacon, anchovies, regular peanut butter, bread with salt toppings and bacon. Canned and frozen products, along with processed foods like french fries, can also be high in sodium.
Reduce Saturated Fats
If you have high cholesterol levels, this can cause plaque to build up in your artery walls, which can further aggravate your heart disease. To reduce your cholesterol levels, cut the amount of saturated and trans fats in your diet. If you have high cholesterol levels or are taking cholesterol-lowering medications, restrict your cholesterol level to less than 200 mg per day. Examples of foods with saturated fats include butter, margarine, shortening and high-fat cuts of meat. Trans fats also are damaging to your blood vessels -- these are added to products to extend the shelf life of foods. Examples of foods with trans fats include baked goods and pre-packaged products. Instead, choose unsaturated fat sources, like olive or canola oils.
Increase Fiber Intake
Fiber is valuable when you are trying to maintain your heart health. Fiber helps prevent constipation. Soluble fiber, a specific type of fiber, helps to bind with foods in your stomach, slowing the rate of digestion. This helps you maintain consistent blood sugar levels, which can be advantageous if you have diabetes. Examples of fiber-containing foods include fruits, vegetables, oats, brown rice, beans and potatoes.
Calorie Restrictions and Medications
Preparations for heart surgery can involve taking additional medications that increase your hunger level. This can be difficult when you are trying to lose weight before heart surgery. Talk to your physician about an appropriate calorie intake level. Your physician may recommend eating several small meals to maintain your blood sugar levels and reduce appetite surges.
References
- University of Southern California: A Patient's Guide to Heart Surgery: Diet and Nutrition
- Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust: Preparing for Heart Surgery
- MayoClinic.com; Heart-Healthy Diet: 8 Steps to Prevent Heart Disease; March 2011
- University of Southern California: A Patient's Guide to Heart Surgery: How to Keep Your Heart Healthy
