A heart attack (medically known
as myocardial infarction) is the death of the heart muscle due to sudden
blockage of a coronary artery by a blood clot. It occurs mainly due to the rupture
of a vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque. It occurs when blood flow to a part of
heart is blocked for a long time leading to damage and death of the heart
muscle. Injury to the heart muscle causes chest pain and chest pressure sensation.
A
lot is seen and heard about heart attacks from family and friends and our all
time favourite Bollywood movies, but understanding the graveness of the
condition let us try to explore this topic better in the light of dietary
management.
Myocardial Infarction (MI) is of
two types –In one type, MI extends through the whole thickness of the heart
muscle and is a result of complete occlusion of the blood supply associated
with atherosclerosis; this is known as Transmural MI. Another type involves a
small area in the left ventricle and ventricular septum and is a result of locally
decreased blood supply associated with narrowing of coronary arteries; this is known
as Subendocardial MI.
Most heart attacks are caused by
blood clot that blocks one of the coronary arteries which brings blood and
oxygen to the heart. If the blood flow is blocked, the heart is starved of
oxygen and heart cells die. Other causes of Myocardial Infarction are Diabetes,
High blood pressure, Dyslipidaemia, Obesity, Stress, Alcohol, Tobacco smoking, Family
history and Atherosclerosis.
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Chest pain is the most common
symptom of heart attack. The pain may be felt in only one part of the body or
it may move from chest to arms, shoulders, teeth, neck, jaw, belly area or
back. The pain can be severe or mild and it can feel like a tight band around
the chest, bad indigestion, something heavy sitting on chest and squeezing or
heavy pressure.
Other symptoms of Myocardial
Infarction include shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, palpitation anxiety,
sweating, cough, fainting, light headedness and dizziness. Approximately one
quarter of all Heart Attacks are known be “silent” i.e. without chest pain or
other symptoms.
Myocardial Infarction can be
effectively managed with diet, exercise and weight reduction among patients to
reach serum lipid goals.
A diet consisting of grains,
cereals, legumes, vegetables, fruits, lean meat, poultry, fish and non-fat
dairy products is recommended to manage myocardial infarction.
NUTRIENT
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NOTE
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Calories
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Lower Calorie Intake, Energy input should be equal to energy output.
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Carbohydrates
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Reduction of total Carbohydrate and restriction of sugar are important.
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Fats
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Total fat content should be reduced to about 30 to 35 % of calorie. The content of polyunsaturated fats must be increased and that of saturated fats strictly limited. Ratio should range from 1:1 to 2:1.
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Cholesterol
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Restrict to 300mg per day.
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Dietary Fiber
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Pectin, gums and soluble fibers have serum cholesterol lowering effect.
Wheat bran lowers both cholesterol and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.
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Calcium
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Calcium supplementation produces a small decrease in LDL cholesterol.
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Vegetables and Fruits
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5 to 7 servings per day
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Dietary advice should be broadly aimed at low fat intake and
high in antioxidants. A list of common foods which can be included and excluded
from the diet are enlisted in the following table:
To know more about the types of fat checkout the Nutri-knowhow column article on Fats.
Post by Faiz Lahori
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