Heart surgical recovery impaired by nutritional deficiency: Post-operative nutrient shortages may weaken heart function.
Heart surgery patients might be constantly monitored for cancer or stomach conditions, but after a heart operation, you're largely on your own. That's why a team of researchers from the Pirogov Clinic of High Medical Technologies at St Petersburg University investigated the impact of nutrition on heart surgery recovery and survival.
Nutritional Deficiencies and Post-Surgery Complications
The study, initiated in 2011, aimed to identify the prevalence of nutritional deficiencies among heart surgery patients and to evaluate postoperative complication risks. Over eight years, they monitored more than 1,000 subjects using a questionnaire survey on various scales and followed their ratio of muscle and fat mass to track markers of starvation. The results confirmed their fears: patients who were malnourished were more likely to suffer a complication, potentially severe or life-threatening. In fact, the research revealed that the higher the degree of nutritional deficiency, the higher the probability of a complication occurring.
The researchers also identified a high-risk group: those with valvular heart disease. Considering how someone could be malnourished and the doctor never picks up on it, is not uncommon. Malnutrition can occur, even in patients of normal weight, due to edema (fluid buildup in the body) or medication that suppresses appetite. This condition, known as cardiac cachexia, can lead to symptoms like weakness or rapid weight loss since the body isn't receiving the necessary nutrients. Suffering from malnutrition can make recovery difficult, if not impossible.
Monitoring Your Nutritional Risk and Preserving Nutrition
So, what can you do if you've had heart surgery or are caring for someone who has? First, keep track of your condition to monitor for issues of malnutrition. Your doctor should use the MUST scale (Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool) to assess your nutritional status. This easy-to-use tool requires answering a few simple questions to evaluate your risk, and it's even available online for regular monitoring.
Next, focus on good dietary habits to maintain the nutrients your body needs to recover. This includes:
- High-Quality Proteins: Consume chicken, lean beef, eggs, tofu, or nuts for protein.
- Fatty Fish: Aim for at least two servings of oily fish like salmon, sardines, or take a quality fish oil supplement like Peak Krill OilTM for your omega-3s.
- Whole Grains: Incorporate oatmeal, brown rice, and whole wheat pasta into your diet.
- Dairy: Low-fat yogurt, cheese, and milk can be added, but in moderation.
- Healthy Fats: Avocados, nuts, seeds, and extra virgin olive oil should be prioritized.
- Water: Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water each day and minimizing sodas and alcohol.
- Fruits and Veggies: Aim for two servings of fruit and five servings of vegetables daily.
CoQ10, an essential nutrient for the heart, is also recommended by the Mayo Clinic for patients who have undergone heart surgery. It can be found in some of the above food sources or taken in supplement form if your appetite isn't strong post-surgery.
In addition, there are safe and natural ways to reduce your risk of blood clots. Discover these and other secrets of long-lived hearts by clicking here.
References:
- Coenzyme Q10 - Mayo Clinic
- After Cardiac Bypass Surgery - St. Vincent's Hospital Heart Health
- Scientists find out how nutrition affects the recovery of patients after cardiac surgery - EurekAlert!
- The study at the Pirogov Clinic found that heart surgery patients with nutritional deficiencies were more likely to suffer postoperative complications, potentially severe or life-threatening.
- Malnutrition in heart patients can occur even in those of normal weight due to conditions like edema or medication that suppresses appetite, leading to symptoms such as weakness or rapid weight loss.
- To monitor for malnutrition and assess nutritional risk, doctors can use the MUST scale, an easy-to-use tool that evaluates your risk of malnutrition through a few simple questions.
- After heart surgery, focusing on a diet rich in high-quality proteins, omega-3-rich fish or supplements, whole grains, dairy, healthy fats, water, fruits, and vegetables, along with essential nutrients like CoQ10, can support recovery and cardiovascular health.
