Feeding In Pericarditis

The disease is an inflammation of the pericardium  (heart membrane / sheath / sac that surrounds the organ, protects it and helps it function). The inflammatory process can be a consequence of or a symptom of other diseases (fungal, bacterial, infectious, viral, rheumatic). It can be a complication of injuries or diseases of internal organs.

The main symptom of pericarditis is chest pain provoked by inflammation. If you feel this, you should immediately consult a doctor.

There are three types of this condition: acute, recurrent and chronic. The most common cause of the problem is a viral infection, so treatment is medication and aims to reduce inflammation and control pain.

Nutrition also matters. In acute pericarditis, it is important for the patient to adhere to the consumption of products that help reduce the load on the heart, improve blood circulation and the general condition of the cardiovascular system, as well as supply the body with the necessary nutrients and vitamins.

Allowed foods for pericarditis:

• meat products: lean beef, pork, beef, rabbit, turkey meat; it is recommended to be boiled, their reception in a baked state is also allowed;
• green leafy vegetables and green spices: parsley, spinach, lettuce; they are rich in vitamins, they are useful both raw and cooked; to limit the consumption of potatoes, white cabbage and peas;
• soups: vegetarian soups should be present in the menu more often; the use of fish and meat broths is allowed, but this should be rare;
• rosehip decoction: it contains a large amount of vitamin C, which is useful not only for the immune system, but also has a beneficial effect on the tone of the heart walls, blood vessels, prevents the formation of blood clots;
• pumpkin, carrots and other fruits and vegetables with orange color: they are useful in pericarditis because they contain vitamin A, which in turn helps to improve the condition of the heart muscle and participates in the normalization of cholesterol levels in the body;
• porridges, cereals, various puddings based on cereals, eggs, dairy products - they all give the body vitamin B, which prevents arrhythmias, heart attacks and is good for the heart as a whole.

Foods harmful for consumption in pericarditis

There are a number of products that should be strictly limited and even completely excluded from the menu. These include:

• salt - the strictly defined daily amount, which should not be exceeded, is 5 grams and this is the dose that goes into all foods taken for the day; in order to make it easier to control the salt used, it is good to add salt to the dishes after cooking (immediately before consumption), because this way it will be possible to estimate exactly how much of the spice is used;
• liquids - of course, you can drink water, tea, juices, decoctions (tea, however, should not be strong), and coffee and cocoa should be completely excluded from the menu; the total amount of fluids for the day should not exceed 1.5 liters; alcohol is strictly forbidden;
• salted and smoked foods - their consumption can lead to edema, fluid retention in the body, and this is highly undesirable in pericarditis;
• fatty products, including meat, broths, bacon, canned meat, liver, sausages - they are able to raise blood cholesterol levels, which will immediately adversely affect the heart;
• legumes, cabbage, all kinds of mushrooms - these foods cause flatulence, so it is recommended not to take them;
• chocolate, confectionery and pasta, tonic decoctions and herbal teas that excite the nervous system;
• fried and spicy foods - it is important not to consume such, the optimal option of heat treatment - cooking, steaming, baking.

In case of pericarditis, it is essential not to overload the digestive system, to take useful and easy to absorb products from the body, and to eat in small portions and about 5-6 times a day. It is important to prepare meals at home, not to buy ready-made versions and semi-finished products.