Dietary counseling for heart disease

What is it?
Nutritional counseling consists of formulation of a specific eating plan by a dietician based on your current health status.

Why is it needed?
Healthy eating habits are crucial for prevention and treatment of various chronic diseases.

When does one need this?
It may be needed if you have one or more of the following:

• Coronary heart disease
• Angina pectoris
• Recent myocardial infarction (heart attack)
• Diabetes mellitus (high blood sugar)
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Obesity (overweight)
• Dyslipidaemia (High blood cholesterol or triglyceride level)
• Hyperuricaemia (High serum uric acid level) or gout
• Anaemia (Low haemoglobin level)

How does one avail it?
Nutrition counseling is available in the Department of Preventive and Rehabilitative Cardiology, located in upper basement of Rehabilitation Centre of Escorts Heart Institute. Patients registered with Escorts Heart Institute require a reference by a doctor while new patients should seek registration before meeting the nutritionist.

It is performed by the dietician who:

• Assesses your current nutritional status and medical background.
• Checks your biochemical profile.
• Formulates a dietary plan for you.

What are the pre–requisites if any?
For meeting the dietician, you should carry your recent laboratory reports and current prescription.

Any preparations needed before it?
No special preparation is needed to meet the dietician.

What happens after the programme is over?
You should follow the advice given during nutritional counseling. Reinforcement and modifications in dietary advice may be required from time-to-time, for which the dietician may call you for a follow-up or you may take another appointment with her, as needed.