Diet for Angioplasty Recovery
Before getting into the details of an angioplasty diet and the best recovery practices, it is important to understand the seriousness of the operation as well as have an understanding of the various factors that played a part in the patient having to undergo the operation. There are a special set of arteries connected to the heart which are known as the coronary arteries that are primarily responsible for the transportation of oxygen to the heart. Primarily as a result of an unhealthy lifestyle and the excessive consumption of high cholesterol foods, a layer of excess cholesterol builds up along the walls of these arteries – slowly developing into a blockage of the artery – preventing transportation of anything through this route to the heart. The blockage of this artery severely impacts the amount of oxygen being transported to the heart. However, because of the fact that it goes through certain stages of progression, it could be detected in the early stages of development.
A mild blockage in the chest area will result in mild pain. Unfortunately, the biggest mistake that a number of people make is that they assume the pain is nothing serious – thereby allowing the condition to accelerate into a lethal problem that will require and angioplasty to ease the pain and reopen the route of oxygen transport to the heart. There are two types of angioplasty techniques – the balloon angioplasty and the laser angioplasty. In the balloon version of treatment, a long tube catheter with a balloon attached to one end is inserted through the groin area and guided up into the artery that ahs the blockage. Once it has reached its destination, the balloon is inflated in order to crush the plaque that has developed and is causing the blockage. After it has successfully cleared the passage, the balloon is deflated and withdrawn. In laser angioplasty, the surgeon uses a laser beam to cut through the plaque.
One of the most important aspects of recovery and angioplasty diet is to ensure that you are not above your ideal weight. In the event that you are, make it a point to lose weight immediately.- The post angioplasty diet will play a significant role in the long term quality of recovery. Quite obviously, the right post angioplasty diet requires you to make it a point to limit, if not able to completely cut out, the cholesterol content of your food. Something that a lot of angioplasty patients are not aware of is the fact that the method of cooking also plays a rather vital role in the recovery process.
- Use a minimum amount of fat in the preparation of the meals while the use of a non stick pan is highly recommended.
- Choose to boil, steaming, blanch or grilling over other methods of preparation such as deep frying foods.
- Avoid consumption of foods that have been prepared with the help of wheat flour as well as junk foods and desserts as much as possible.
- Avoid processed foods, products made from refined flour or white flour, junk foods, oily or fried foods, sugar, sweets, chocolates, bakery foods made from mayonnaise, butter, cream, sugar, carbonated beverages, sodas, colas, artificially sweetened fruit and vegetable juices and candies.
- Lay emphasis on healthy food options like whole unprocessed cereals, grains and its products, pulses, sprouts, beans, fresh fruits and vegetables and low fat or fat free dairy products. Whole foods and fresh fruits and vegetables will provide all the essential nutrients and fiber which will help to improve your lipid profile and nourish your body with different vitamins and minerals. Moreover these foods are also low in fats so they will not pose any health risk.
- Limit the intake of foods that are high in cholesterol, saturated fats and trans fats as far as possible. Cholesterol is present only in animal food sources like shell fishes, meat, organ meats like kidney, brain and liver, poultry with skin and egg yolk. These foods are also high in proteins but the associated saturated fats and cholesterol can cause further problems so it is best to avoid them completely. For protein you can include good source of fats like fish, poultry without the skin, lean meat and egg whites in moderation.
Exercises After Angioplasty
Along with the choice you make when it comes to food after angioplasty, it is important to remember that exercise plays a vital role in the rehabilitation process as well. Make sure that you perform some kind of extensive physical activity at least three times a week. This will simultaneously help you burn any excess amounts of fat as well as shape the muscle more effectively. With regards to the diet, there are also a number of angioplasty diet charts that are available through a number of sources such as the internet as well as your local bookstore that can be of immense help.
Angioplasty Treatment
- Lose weight if you are above your ideal body weight. Losing just few pounds can decrease your risk of heart diseases. However make weight loss a gradual process and avoid long periods of starvation, binging or fad diets altogether.
- Watch your lipid profile. If your cholesterol levels are in a bad shape try to correct them by eating right. Most of the cholesterol is synthesized in the body but your diet also has an impact on your cholesterol levels.
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