Living with valvular heart disease
Patients with valvular heart disease are advised to follow a series of actions to minimize the symptoms associated with the disease:
Eat a healthy diet, low in fat and salt.
Stay a suitable weight, avoid obesity. Control your weight on a regular basis.
Avoid a sedentary lifestyle, stay physically active.
Do not smoke.
Control your blood pressure.
Take the medication rigorously, in the prescribed dose and at the time scheduled.
Limit alcohol consumption (wine with meals or beer) and avoid stronger spirits.
Avoid commercial soft drinks because of their high sugar content.
Do not take illegal drugs.
Practice proper oral hygiene (to avoid possible infections that may affect the heart valves). Have regular dental check-ups.
Avoid stress as far as possible.
Make sure you get enough rest (both the number of hours and the quality of your sleep).
Know the warning signs and when you should go to ER: chest pain, palpitations, fast and/or uncontrolled heart rate, swollen legs (oedema), unjustified weight gain over a few days that could indicate fluid retention, dizziness or loss of consciousness, shortness of breath/choking (dyspnoea).
Stay socially active. Do not stay cooped up at home.
If you have any questions, ask your health professionals.
Healthy living
Tobacco. This is one of the most important risk factors that you should avoid. If you are a smoker, your priority should be to quit.
Alcohol. Minimise your intake
Obesity. Stay at the proper weight to feel better.
Sedentary lifestyle. Be physically active.
Stress. Control your stress as much as possible, both at work and at home.
Nutrition
Diet low in salt and saturated fat. It is essential to eat a healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, which is rich in fresh fruit and vegetables, olive oil (virgin olive oil if possible), cereals (bread, pasta, rice, etc.), legumes, nuts, more fish than meat (preferably white meat like chicken, turkey, and rabbit) and, if you have no contraindications, you may drink a glass of wine (red is better) with lunch and dinner.
Eat oven-cooked, grilled or boiled food whenever possible. Avoid fried foods.
Other types of seasoning. As an alternative to salt you can use lemon juice, vinegar, herbs, garlic, and pepper.
Avoid pre-packaged meals, industrial pastries, sweets and preserves.
Dairy products should be skimmed or semi-skimmed.
Hydration. The best thing to drink is water.
Eat slowly. Chew well and, if possible, with other people.
Exercise
Physical activity is positive both physically and psychologically. It must be done taking the phase of the disease into consideration, since a more advanced stage involves greater limitations. In the initial stages, you can do sport, after consulting your health professionals, as long as it is not too strenuous or results in symptoms like chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, and so on. The simplest and most beneficial activity is walking (every day for about an hour). Other exercise can include cycling, rowing, swimming, and Nordic walking.
Rest well
Proper rest is fundamental for feeling good. The number of hours of sleep needed varies from person to person, and as you age you need less sleep. Around seven hours of sleep is recommended.
It is important to follow a routine at bedtime:
- Go to bed at the same time every day.
- Stop eating at least two hours before you go to bed.
- Do not exercise before bed (only do relaxation exercises).
- Do not eat large meals, or consume stimulants such as coffee, tea or chocolate.
- Do not smoke or drink alcohol.
- Your bedroom should be a suitable temperature, dark and quiet.
- You should not use electronic devices just before going to sleep.
- A nap after eating can be healthy as long as it is not more than 30 minutes.
- Drugs to help you sleep (sleeping pills, anxiety medication, etc.) should only be taken when medically prescribed.
Sex
Keep in mind the fact that having sex uses as much energy as climbing two flights of stairs without getting tired and without any chest pain (angina). Many drugs can interfere with sexuality (beta blockers, calcium antagonists, etc.). If you have any questions, you should consult your healthcare professionals, and never take drugs like Viagra®, or similar, because they can have serious consequences.
Travel
You can travel, although it is recommended to discuss it previously with the cardiologist. If you have to travel to exotic countries, you must take basic hygiene steps (drink only bottled water, even for brushing your teeth; do not drink iced drinks; do not eat raw food; carry mosquito repellents; and make sure all the vaccinations you need are up to date). Mention your trip to your healthcare professional and ensure that sufficient medication is available for the duration of the trip.
Social and emotional support
A good social support network is essential, including family, friends, and colleagues. Social interaction has a positive effect on psychological health. Talking to people who have had similar experiences can be enriching, as can support groups.
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Published: 23 January 2020
Updated: 23 January 2020
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