Dietary management during Myocardial Infarction?
Patients who suffer from an attack of myocardial infarction are hospitalized and are usually kept under strict medical supervision. During the initial 24 to 48 hours most patients are on intravenous support and if needed on an artificial ventilator to meet their oxygen requirements. Initially oral rood intake is restricted and not recommended as the ailing heart cannot support the oxygen and absorption of food. Oral food intake is resumed based on several cardiac function tests which help in assessing the residual functional capacity of the heart after injury. Allow fat soft diet is generally recommended and during the initial stages foods may be introduced in very small quantities every hour or after every two hours. Observation of the patient during consumption of rood and at least till % to 1 hour after eating is essential to rule out the elicitation of angina pectoris or another attack of myocardial infarction.