Post heart attack diets

fotofreak01

Okay, my husband, 41, 5'10", 181 lbs., had a heart attack on 02/03/14. He had 2 pretty bad blockages and had 2 stents put in. He has been to his 1 week follow up appointment, where he wasn't really told anything except to see his heart doctor this coming Tuesday. He really hasn't been given too much info into what he needs to do to help prevent another heart attack so I have been doing as much research online as I can. You know how online research goes, so much conflicting information. He is not overweight but has always had a horrible diet and smoked about 1.5 packs of cigarettes a day. He is trying to quit and is down to 3 cigarettes a day but I'm having a hard time convincing him that just because he eats a Wendy's salad once a day instead of his normal, candy, cake and Coke, doesn't mean he's eating better. Here's my question to you all. I'd like to hear from people that have gone through a similar situation or had a spouse that has. What is a sample day of meals look like for you? Did you jump in, all at once or slowly try to incorporate healthier choices? Thanks in advance.

IVMarkIV

Medical based diets: look into DASH (Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension) and/or Atherogenic diet (more for controlling dyslipidemia/hypertriglyceridemia). DASH is more popular and studied in comparison

amybg1

My father hasn't had a heart attack but he did suffer from some distress which was where a blockage was discovered and he had a stent put in. His brother is ona boatload of meds to keep him alive and his sister also has I believe only one blockage. All that to say...heart issues on my dad's side along with cholesterol issues...

Te Wendy's salad is better than the burger but homemade is even better...Has he looked into seeing a dietician at all? Ultimately a complete diet change (along with quitting smoking) is required. My Dad still has issues with changing his diet (we find McDonald's and Wendy's wrappers in his truck along with candy bar wrappers) but he's getting better at it one day at a time.

Since changing his diet would be a huge change for him considering what you've mentioned about his current diet I'd introduce changes gradually. Does he drink the Coke because he likes all the sugar or just the fizz? If he drinks those for the fizz, and more than one or two a day I'd consider getting a sodastream and squeezing lemon or lime juice in there if you wanted flavor.

Without knowing a day's worth of foods your husband eats...here's what a diet he should be trying to eat:

Breakfast:
Oats, if he hasn't eaten this or is used to cereals start with the Instant stuff which some has flavorings in there and move to quick/1 minute and hopefully eventually steel-cut oats
Dash of cinnamon if using Instant Unflavored or quick/steel-cut if desired
banana or apple
Coffee if he drinks some, black is better but if he must have something in there go for half&half or low-fat creamer or even just sugar or milk.

Lunch:
You mentioned a Wendy's salad, I'm assuming it would be around lunchtime? Not sure what kind of greens you guys like but all depending go for leafy salad or iceberg lettuce if he prefers something crunchy. Add in salmon, chicken, lean beef...Any lean protein really
Cucumber, tomato, onion, avocado...Any vegetable he likes
Dressings would be better if you made your own with say olive oil and pure balsamic but since he's just starting out...I'd stay away from the creamy dressings and go for lower-fat options such as balsamic, or tehre are a few dressings Kraft makes with olive oil and seasonings.
Feta cheese can be added to the salad if he likes

Dinner:
Lean meat such as steak with the fat trimmed
Mashed potatoes made with unsalted butter and low-fat or whole milk (again depends on preference)
Mashed turnips and carrots
Green beans/peas
Chopped, cooked carrots with a bit of honey mixed in there for a touch of sweetness

Snacks:
Nuts, UN-salted
raw veggies with dip (if desired)
Fruit such as a pear, apple, oranges/clementines, kiwi...

This is just a sample day, but you can do so much more! Basically watch salt content (make homemade soup a sopposed to store-bought if he likes those), canned goods tend to be culprits in terms of salt content so I'd watch out for those. Since he's already having issues with his arteries I'd also watch out for the bad fats and substitute with good fats in moderation such as raw nuts, fish, etc.

Occasionally you could have a treat such as a candy bar, ice cream etc but work at it gradually for it to be most successful of a change

fotofreak01

My father hasn't had a heart attack but he did suffer from some distress which was where a blockage was discovered and he had a stent put in. His brother is ona boatload of meds to keep him alive and his sister also has I believe only one blockage. All that to say...heart issues on my dad's side along with cholesterol issues...

Te Wendy's salad is better than the burger but homemade is even better...Has he looked into seeing a dietician at all? Ultimately a complete diet change (along with quitting smoking) is required. My Dad still has issues with changing his diet (we find McDonald's and Wendy's wrappers in his truck along with candy bar wrappers) but he's getting better at it one day at a time.

Since changing his diet would be a huge change for him considering what you've mentioned about his current diet I'd introduce changes gradually. Does he drink the Coke because he likes all the sugar or just the fizz? If he drinks those for the fizz, and more than one or two a day I'd consider getting a sodastream and squeezing lemon or lime juice in there if you wanted flavor.

Without knowing a day's worth of foods your husband eats...here's what a diet he should be trying to eat:

Breakfast:
Oats, if he hasn't eaten this or is used to cereals start with the Instant stuff which some has flavorings in there and move to quick/1 minute and hopefully eventually steel-cut oats
Dash of cinnamon if using Instant Unflavored or quick/steel-cut if desired
banana or apple
Coffee if he drinks some, black is better but if he must have something in there go for half&half or low-fat creamer or even just sugar or milk.

Lunch:
You mentioned a Wendy's salad, I'm assuming it would be around lunchtime? Not sure what kind of greens you guys like but all depending go for leafy salad or iceberg lettuce if he prefers something crunchy. Add in salmon, chicken, lean beef...Any lean protein really
Cucumber, tomato, onion, avocado...Any vegetable he likes
Dressings would be better if you made your own with say olive oil and pure balsamic but since he's just starting out...I'd stay away from the creamy dressings and go for lower-fat options such as balsamic, or tehre are a few dressings Kraft makes with olive oil and seasonings.
Feta cheese can be added to the salad if he likes

Dinner:
Lean meat such as steak with the fat trimmed
Mashed potatoes made with unsalted butter and low-fat or whole milk (again depends on preference)
Mashed turnips and carrots
Green beans/peas
Chopped, cooked carrots with a bit of honey mixed in there for a touch of sweetness

Snacks:
Nuts, UN-salted
raw veggies with dip (if desired)
Fruit such as a pear, apple, oranges/clementines, kiwi...

This is just a sample day, but you can do so much more! Basically watch salt content (make homemade soup a sopposed to store-bought if he likes those), canned goods tend to be culprits in terms of salt content so I'd watch out for those. Since he's already having issues with his arteries I'd also watch out for the bad fats and substitute with good fats in moderation such as raw nuts, fish, etc.

Occasionally you could have a treat such as a candy bar, ice cream etc but work at it gradually for it to be most successful of a change

This was extremely helpful! Thank you so much! I believe he thinks he has to eat nothing but spinach (which he detests) and nuts and berries and can never have another sweet treat again. I have tried to explain to him that this is not the case and I have found there are many things on your sample menu that I know he enjoys eating but doesn't because of the time it takes to prepare and such. We own a tattoo shop which keeps him busy at least 12 hours a day and I work midnights as a dispatcher so it's hard to actually sit down to family meals. I can just start making his lunch at home and taking it to him and committing to cooking dinner everyday instead of only 5 days a week that way he doesn't have to run through the drive thru on those 2 days. Again, thank you.

fotofreak01

Medical based diets: look into DASH (Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension) and/or Atherogenic diet (more for controlling dyslipidemia/hypertriglyceridemia). DASH is more popular and studied in comparison

I have actually came across/heard of DASH. I will have to research it more. Thanks so much!

javaruck

The diet advice provided is solid. I experienced a massive heart attack in 2011 and learned that most insurance will cover Cardiac Rehabilitation as part of the post treatment process. I encourage you to check this out as I found it very helpful during my recovery. Although I was an active triathlete and runner when I had my heart attack, cardiac rehab was very helpful with providing monitored exercise to insure a safe return to activity. In addition, the program also included counsiling with a dietitian which was very helpful.

My heart attack resulted in a full cardiac arrest but access to an AED and quick treatment (multiple stents) allowed for a fast recovery. Although I still struggle with my weight (I like food!), I resumed full activities shortly after my heart attack and resumed my marathon running.

All the best to your husband as he recovers. Today's treatments and medications make it possible to live a great life after a heart attack.