What are the absolute no-no foods for recent heart attack patients? My husband was given no guidelines?

Answer 1

There are no foods he can't have. He should have low salt low fat items though. He can eat whatever he wants but buy salt substitute to use on the table and don't add much salt when you are cooking. Use a heart healthy oil for cooking such as olive oil or canola oil.

Answer 2

We know that over time with lifestyle changes patients are able to consistently reduce their cholesterol by 15%. Some people are salt sensitive and/or have congestive heart failure and require careful attention to their sodium intake. In the short term, I don't think your diet is a particularly major issue.

There is some good advice on diet above, but it is my experience that patients do not do well on overly restrictive diets over time. I am not interested in how good you can be for a month - I want changes to last a life time. In that vein, you need to be a little more flexible with do's and don'ts...remember moderation and reduced portions for now...I have seen some excellent data on following the Mediterranean diet, by the way.

Am I surprised that you were not given dietary advice upon discharge from the hospital? No. And I don't think you necessarily need to go shopping for a new doctor. For most people, having a heart attack is a big deal. (duh!) We know that the time spent discussing diet at discharge after such an event is not going to be time well spent. (I really want to emphasize the medications which we know can be life-and-death if not taken correctly)

We have follow-up appointments in our clinic and we make referrals to nutritionists - that is when we typically have such a discussion. Most patients and their families absorb the information much better. I know you want to do the right thing but try to relax...focus on the diet at this point will not make too much difference.

I hope this helps. Good luck.

Answer 3

Non-fat everything ! Basically, you're looking for everything with no cholesterol, no fat, low/no salt, no preservatives (often full of sodium).

NO: Bacon, hot dogs, pepperoni, bologna, salami, sausage, etc.

NO: Eggs, chocolate, whole milk, butter/oil/margarine, fried foods, fast foods, MAYONNAISE, gravies etc.

You can buy egg and margarine substitutes, with no fat or cholesterol. You can also get salt substitute. These things will take some getting used to.

Broiled fish or very lean poultry are okay, heart-healthy cereals like Cheerios, Oatmeal, etc. are good (with skim or 1% milk). Fruits and veggies are all fine--except you may want to get the low-sodium version of tomato and V8 juices. There are also sodium-free broths and boullions.

When you go shopping, just look for "heart healthy," "non-fat," and "zero cholesterol" products.

I hope that your husband is recovering nicely.

Answer 4

Before we go further, I'd find another doctor!
A doctor that doesn't educate his patient is failing that patient!

Go find a cardic dr. that listens, invites questtions and encourages good care.

Next, cut back on red meat, fats, salt... Get rid of stuff in the closet that has hidden salts and fats.
Learn to read labels.

Make things from scratch.. it's healthier and there's a better chance he'll eat it!

Go get a new doctor!

Answer 5

Aside from not smoking some of the "no-no foods" are-fried food of any kind,NO SALT of any kind especially on the table, except for very small pinch in cooking if absolutely necessary,bacon,animal innards,dried cured meat,hot dogs,hamburger,any kind of pork or beef with fat,cookies ,cake and candy,dairy products and poultry with skin are some.
Allowed foods include-skim milk,chicken breast w/o skin,broiled food,green vegetables,fruit,whole grain cereal, oatmeal,pork and veal w/o fat in small 40z. portions,sherbet,and fruit ices to name a few.

Answer 6

Certain meds like coumadin or warfarin will need dietary considerations and as already stated, he should be on a low fat, low cholesterol, low sodium diet. I suggest contacting his doctor or the hospital should have a cardiac dietician for more info.