Diet after heart bypass surgery

Cardiac bypass surgery is called an operation, which is the main purpose for coronary disease. This disease is characterized by the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in the arteries that supply blood to the heart. One of the main reasons for their formation is an increased content of cholesterol in the blood, which enters the human body with food, so the diet after heart bypass surgery is an important element of treatment.

The consequences of the formation of atherosclerotic plaques

As a result of the formation of atherosclerotic plaques, a narrowing of the lumen in the arteries, called stenosis, occurs, which leads to disruption of the blood supply to the heart muscle. At the same time, the myocardium ceases to receive the necessary amount of blood required for its normal operation, which leads to its weakening and damage. The consequence of this is the occurrence of pain behind the sternum during physical activity. The most negative consequence of this process can be called the necrosis of a section of the heart muscle, that is, the occurrence of myocardial infarction.

Causes of stenosis of the vessels of the heart

Most often, stenosis of the vessels of the heart, and later myocardial infarction occurs when a person abuses bad habits. Constant stress negatively affects the state of blood vessels. It is also very common for people diagnosed with diabetes. But no less influence on the formation of atherosclerotic plaques is a sedentary lifestyle, excess weight, and many factors that provoke its formation, namely:

• increased energy value of the diet;
• insufficient intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids into the body, which normalize cholesterol metabolism and reduce its deposition on the walls of blood vessels;
• excess intake of saturated fatty acids and cholesterol;
• excessive consumption of quickly digestible carbohydrates, as well as salt, which reduces the activity of enzymes involved in fat metabolism;
• insufficient intake of foods high in fiber, which provokes a decrease in the rate of excretion of cholesterol through the intestines;
• excessive consumption of animal proteins, which disrupt vascular permeability, and also increase blood clotting and adversely affect fat metabolism;
• lack in the body of substances such as potassium, magnesium, zinc, carotene, as well as vitamins A, C, B, PP, which have a direct effect on the breakdown of cholesterol and lipid metabolism.

That is why, after bypass surgery, in addition to all other doctor's recommendations, diet and further proper nutrition are very important to ensure the patient's normal condition and the possibility of preventing relapses.

Basic principles of diet after heart bypass surgery

The main rule of the diet after heart bypass surgery is to reduce the energy value of the patient's daily diet to 2600 kcal. In this case, the menu should include no more than:

• 90 g of proteins, of which exactly half are animal, and all the rest are vegetable;
• 80 g of fats, 40% of which are of vegetable origin;
• 350 g of carbohydrates with a minimum amount of them in a quickly digestible form.

These values ​​are approximate. The exact calculation of the required amount of products must be performed by a doctor, based on special formulas. So, to ensure the normal functioning of the body, but at the same time, the amount of protein in grams that does not negatively affect the state of the vessels is a value equal to the patient's weight multiplied by 1 or 1.2. At the same time, for the intake of this substance in the body, it is best to use lean fish and meat, as well as dairy products with the optimal amount of fat.

Eating salt is reduced to 5 mg / day, refuse egg yolks, offal, as well as animal and cooking fats. The amount of pure water consumed should be at least 1.2-1.5 l / day, but not more than this amount, which will inevitably lead to the formation of edema. The most acceptable types of it are purified filtered water, as well as mineral water without gases. Increase the amount of foods in the diet containing dietary fiber, namely vegetables, fruits and cereals. Provide the use of more foods rich in trace elements such as potassium, magnesium, iodine and vitamins E and C.

In order to ensure a decrease in the level of cholesterol intake into the human body, nutrition after heart bypass surgery should include foods rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, as well as complex carbohydrates and a sufficient amount of fiber. Guided by this rule, a person's daily menu includes soups cooked in vegetable broth, to which cereals and potatoes are added. For the preparation of second courses, lean varieties of red meat are used, such as lean beef or veal, as well as poultry - chicken and turkey. Rabbit meat is also very suitable for these purposes.

Some of the healthiest foods that can be used for second courses are lean white fish such as tuna, cod, flounder and hake. Almost all types of seafood are also very useful: squid, mussels, shrimps, sea kale. To ensure the intake of vegetable fats into the human body, sunflower or cold-pressed olive oil is preferred.

Dairy products are also very important components in this diet. At the same time, all dairy and sour-milk drinks, cottage cheese and cheeses should be with a minimum amount of fat, that is, be fat-free. Be sure to include in the menu bakery products that are made using wholemeal flour. They can be replaced with yeast-free bread. It is also very useful to eat wheat bran during this period of time.

As the main drinks, it is recommended to use freshly squeezed juices, which were obtained from both fruits and berries. The necessary saturation of the body with vitamin C can be provided by drinking rosehip broth. It is also recommended to eat nuts in small quantities, which provide the body with vegetable fats.

Dietary restrictions

The diet after heart surgery with vascular bypass surgery consists not only in reducing the energy value of the diet and incorporating healthy foods into it, but also in refusing certain foods and drinks. So throughout the entire rehabilitation period, as well as after, it is necessary with the maximum opportunity to refuse to use all types of fatty meat, bacon, lard, sausages and pies. In addition, you should avoid dishes whose main ingredients are by-products - the heart, brains, liver and stomachs.

Under the ban are the first dishes that were cooked in meat, fish or mushroom broth. It is necessary to completely abandon fried, animal and cooking fats, mayonnaise and margarine. Chicken eggs can be eaten no more than 4 pieces per week. Dairy and lactic acid products with a high fat content should also not be consumed.

White bread, confectionery, sugar, honey, ice cream and carbonated drinks are the first on the list of prohibited foods after this surgical intervention. If the patient has a very strong craving for sweets, sweets and other similar products should be replaced with dried fruits. Due to the presence of a large amount of salt content, pickles and canned food are removed from the menu. Caffeinated drinks such as black and green tea, coffee, cocoa are also unacceptable due to the fact that they are provocateurs of vasospasm. Semolina, pasta and rice should also not be included in the patient's menu. Alcoholic drinks are strictly prohibited.

Thus, in order to achieve a positive result after heart bypass surgery, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the diet both during the postoperative period and for the rest of life. This condition is mandatory and is supplemented by maintaining an active lifestyle and limiting stressful situations.