SUMMARY
Dietetic Treatment, adjusted to relieve the weakened heart muscles and to save the organ from all possible strain.
Three Stages, during which the treatment changes according to the extent and progress made by the disease.
First Stage: The diet is practically normal. Compensation is good, consequently no dietary measures save the limiting of alcoholic beverages are necessary.
Second Stage: The compensation is only moderate and the heart cannot perform its normal functions, hence the diet must be directed toward relieving any pressure upon the organs from other organs and toward lessening the work of the heart itself.
Third Stage: In which the compensation is decidedly impaired and for this reason the dietetic treatment undergoes a decided change.
Digestional Disturbances in which there is an evolution of gas in the stomach or intestines may cause a pressure against the heart which is distinctly bad for it.
Limiting the Fluids in the diet in heart disease is necessary when the compensation is only moderate, as they impose an extra burden upon the organ to eliminate them.
Amount of Food must also be limited. The meals must be small and taken without fluid. The latter should be taken between meals.
Edema occurs in a number of cases and must be treated as in nephritic conditions by limiting the fluids and by confining the diet to “salt-poor” foods.[136]
Karell Cure or modification thereof has been used with good results in many cases of heart disease.
Exercise must be limited in amount and confined to types which will not impose a tax upon the weakened heart muscles. Exercise after eating is especially to be discouraged, as this, together with the efforts required for the digestion of food, might readily prove too much for the heart to accomplish.
Elderly Patients must be warned against exercises of all kinds, not only on account of the condition of the heart, but also on account of the condition of the arterial walls. These harden with age and break down under undue pressure.
The Nurse should instruct the patient on the points necessary for the saving of the heart. She should teach the necessity for keeping the meals small and having them more frequently if necessary; of limiting the fluids at meals to a few ounces or leaving them out altogether at this time. She should know how necessary is the reduction of the fluid. She should also warn against the taking of alcoholic beverages except with the permission and advice of a physician.
Excitement and Worry increase the blood pressure, hence must be avoided by individuals suffering with any form of heart disease.