Pacemaker Implantation and Diet for Heart Disease

There are many changes one needs to adopt after an implantation of a pacemaker, one of which is diet. But you need not worry about it as these simple changes will become a part of his lifestyle as time passes. Patient will need to follow a heart healthy diet which is basically low in fat and simple sugar and high in fiber. To plan a proper diet chart I will need a list of information from his height, weight, current dietary pattern, level of physical activity, medical history and so on. Listed below are some dietary tips that will help you to maintain his heart healthy diet.

Diet for Heart Disease

• Try to maintain his ideal body weight and encourage him to lose weight if he is overweight.
• Emphasize on whole foods like whole cereals, grains and related products, whole pulses, legumes and beans and whole fresh fruits and vegetables. These foods are a good source of many vitamins and minerals as well as complex carbohydrates and fiber. Avoid refined foods in any form, and restrict canned and processed food consumption to a minimum.
• Proteins can be included in the form of sprouts, legumes, beans, egg white, skimmed milk and milk products, lean cuts of meat and poultry without skin. Organ meats, other meats, egg yolk, and shell fishes are also high in protein but they should be avoided as they also provide abundant saturated fats and cholesterol, both of which are restricted in a heart healthy diet.
• One serving of fish high in omega-3 fatty acids should be included at least twice or thrice in a week. Salmon, sardine, tuna, and herring are some healthy options.
• Other foods that needs to be limited or eaten in restricted amounts include fatty foods, fried foods, junk foods, salty foods, bakery foods like cookies, buns, cakes, pastries, simple sugars, sweets, chocolates, candies, sweetened juices, colas, sodas and other carbonated beverages.
• Try to avoid any kind of stress be it physical or psychological and avoid smoking completely. If he has a habit of drinking it can be continued, but in moderation (one peg per day) and only after consulting your specialist.
• Most of the pacemakers available now allow a person to get engaged in various kinds of physical activity. Exercise is an important aspect along with diet which will not only help to maintain an ideal body weight but will also help to improve his cholesterol profile. However before starting any kind of physical activity or changing your diet in a major way, consult your specialist or a registered dietician.

The diet for heart patient consists of foods with high fiber and low fat content, since this can prove beneficial for you.