My dad is 61 yrs old and has had valvular heart disease for a very long time. He had a check up today and the doctor found that his heart has weakened since the last time they met. They're going to do further testing on him but apparently an operation seems very likely.
The thought of my dad having to go through this and just the word "operation" itself terrifies me and all I can do is cry, however I've decided to be more productive with my time and find ways that I can help him.
Do you guys have any tips to 'strengthen' the heart. Any particular exercises or foods I can introduce to him?
Any help would be much appreciated.
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RHCP
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I can only let you know that when I was awaiting my operation I didn't so much try and strengthen the heart but looked at what nutrients it pumped around and what foods would significantly improve the amount and mostly get them to the muscles so the heart wouldn't need to work so hard .
For example iron as a component in the heamaglobin to get oxygen around .
When I was pale or lethargic I ate chopped liver ,brocolli and baby spinach in wholemeal chapatis for dinner for a week and once a week a can of Guinness .
Things like this obviously need to be in conjunction with meds and let the Dr or nurses be aware of what your eating . They may offer alternative but don't always accept the booklet way , ask them : is what I'm suggesting safe ?
Good luck and well done for helping him your a star
Hi. I’m 59 and had valve surgery 2 months ago. Before the op I was advised to walk for 30 minutes a day, eat a healthy diet and get plenty of iron to reduce the risk of needing a blood transfusion. I was told not to overdo the walking but that by keeping it up my recovery would be quicker. I am now back to walking 30 minutes a day and finding it easier all the time 😀
I’m really happy that you’re doing so well! Makes me very optimistic. Will definitely be accompanying him on more walks, exercise is going to a hurdle for this man...
I hope dad isn’t suffering . : ( I’ll find some healthy recipes to make every Monday and we’ll take him out for walks. Will you drive over here one day a week when it’s sunny ? Mum and dad can come straight after work have dinner here and we can walk around the forest here.
Also, I recommend that you watch the film "Forks Over Knives". It will show you that you can clear out your arteries. It is on a website of the same name, Netflix, YouTube. It is about medical dietary research, including a massive study of 800,000 Chinese people. You might find it helpful, I did.
The ideal BP is 120/80. Mine has been as high as 240/140 but went down to 190/100 with treatment in 2016. I still had a mini-stroke in 2017 though. I started a Whole Food Plant Based (WFPB) lifestyle in March 2018. My BP is now 120/80.
The ideal cholesterol is below 5. Mine was 6.5 for years, nothing budged it until this diet. It is now 3.7.
My weight was 14.5st and is now 12.5st, the same as when I was in my twenties.
I believe that this means that my arteries must be clearing out.
If there is damage to the heart there is nothing at this time that can "repair" the actual heart. However, a healthy diet, regular mild exercise like walking and getting fresh air and sunshine is a must. The doctor will likely prescribe medications to help support the cardiac system and help prevent any additional damage.
If it's a leaky valve they can fix that. Think of a faucet leaking and how it can affect water pressure - the pressure gets weaker. It's the same with a leaky valve. Once the leak is fixed there will be more blood to circulate through the body and bring back your father's strength and vitality. It won't be like it was previously, but I can tell you he will feel the difference!
If stents are a bypass are required, again these procedures open block vessels and allow for the flow of blood and thereby more oxygen to your father's organs. Again these procedures will assist in bringing back his strength and vitality. Stents are a fairly non invasive procedure. Bypass is more of a major surgery but in the long run is the best solution for a more severe blockage. My hubby had a 5-way bypass 20 years ago when he was 64 and celebrates his 84th Birthday this month.
Stay positive, ask the doctors questions - there are no stupid questions. Talk openly with you father about what his concerns are and what questions he would like to ask the doctor. Write your questions down.....I found as soon as we left the doctor's office we remembered most of the important questions.
My husband's typical answer to questions were - no I feel fine. I'd sit there thinking what??? I found that kindly jogging his memory with the doctor about some of his complaints led to not only getting answers but having my husband participate in the conversation. I found my husband was reluctant to say how scared his was and my just "piping in" just made him feel more powerless and then resentful towards me for "taking over". However, you need answers to important issues. Having a pouting family member for a day is better than not getting answers from the doctor and getting the best care for him. I always tell my husband when it comes to his health, he's my cub and as a Momma Bear I'll do what ever needs to be done to protect him because I love him that much.
All the Best to you and your family from across the Pond!
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