CHAPTER XIX
DISEASES OF THE HEART
The dietetic treatment in diseases of the heart has been the subject of much study, especially during the past few years.
The Diet.—In this pathological condition, as in many other diseases in which one or more of the functions of the body have become impaired, there can be no hard and fast rule covering the treatment or diet for all cases, but, as in nephritis, the condition of the individual, his symptoms, and the progress and extent of the disease must be taken into consideration in order to formulate a diet calculated to adequately nourish the body, while at the same time imposing the smallest amount of work with the least expenditure of labor upon the part of the diseased organ.
Division of Treatment.—The treatment of the disease then may be said to be divided into three stages: first, the stage of compensation; second, that of moderate compensation; third, that of decompensation. The diet is directed, first, toward relieving as far as possible the strain which is imposed more or less by all the food eaten; and second, keeping up the general nutrition of the body.
Dietetic Treatment.—No matter what has caused the impairment of the heart functions, the treatment must necessarily remain the same as far as diet is concerned. The patient is no longer able to handle a full and unrestricted diet. As long as compensation is good, the restrictions are scarcely noticeable; alcoholic beverages and possibly tobacco may have to be, to a certain extent, curtailed, and in some cases avoided altogether. However, if the individual desires to live and be comfortable while so doing, he must lead a wholesome, simple life, since he cannot with safety indulge in any excesses, either in diet or in any other particular.
Diet in Second Stage.—When the second stage sets in, that is, when the heart muscle is unable to perform its normal function, attention must be directed toward two main points; first, the work of the heart; second, the pressure upon that organ from other sources, namely, the stomach and intestines. As long as the food does not disagree, that is, so long as there is no fermentation or putrefaction of the food material in the stomach and intestines the flatulence arising from the evolution of gas in those organs is slight and the pressure upward upon the heart inconsiderable.
Restricting the Fluids.—The heart must be spared all unnecessary work. This can only be accomplished by limiting the amount of food and fluids ingested. The latter imposes an extra burden upon the impaired organ to eliminate. Consequently, the amount of fluid should be limited to 1500 c.c. a day at most, and in many cases considerably less than that quantity.
Regulating the Meals.—The meals should be small and the intervals of feeding regular. It has been found best to give the fluids between meals rather than with the food. In many cases of heart disease, as in certain nephritic conditions, edema is a prominent symptom, so that it is necessary to direct our efforts toward overcoming that particular condition. The Karell Cure[134] and the salt-poor diet are used with excellent results. The latter is not so low as the former, and in many cases will accomplish all that is required. A modified Karell diet is used in the Michael Reese Hospital[135] in Chicago as follows: