Heart Health Nutrition

The new Cardiac Care Program at Saint Therese of New Hope was launched in May 2012. After a cardiac-related hospitalization, patients are often discharged to a transitional care unit in a skilled nursing facility to complete their care prior to returning home.

Jennifer Tallant, Saint Therese of New Hope Registered Dietitian, is part of an interdisciplinary cardiac care team that meets regularly and reviews changes in patient’s medical status. For example, an increase in weight may be an indicator that the patient is retaining fluids and needs adjustments made to their diet or cardiac medications. This holistic approach helps staff identify any problems before they become serious.

Tallant also meets with patients and their families to discuss their physician-ordered diet, review the heart-healthy menu options that are available at Saint Therese (easily denoted on menus with a red heart) and provide education for the return home. “Often the patient is not the primary cook in the home so it is important to get family members involved,” said Tallant.

A healthy diet is important for everyone, especially for cardiac patients. Tallant talks to patients about the importance of good nutrition and a low salt diet. “When it comes to heart health, we particularly look at the importance of a low salt diet because salt can cause the body to retain fluid which causes your heart to work harder,” explained Tallant. Following a low salt diet can also help manage high blood pressure.

For cardiac patients, no more than 500 mg of sodium is recommended per meal. It is important to review labels and look for lower sodium options.

Tallant provides three tips for better nutrition for cardiac patients that everyone can do at home:

• Take the salt shaker off the table and don’t add extra salt when cooking.
• Choose fresh foods whenever possible. Fresh fruits and vegetables contain very little sodium.
• Avoid spices and seasonings with the word salt or sodium in the name. For example, substitute garlic powder for recipes that call for garlic salt