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Update
When hubby had his heart attack, he was told it was hereditary! He prompted the rest of his family to get checked out to ensure they were fit and healthy. His own cholesterol check has just come back with a score of 2.7, the same as his last checkup in February, the Dr is very impressed and it's all because we are following the Mediterranean Diet as recommended in the heart books that all patients receive whilst in the Royal Bournemouth Hospital Heart Unit.
Imagine, when the week before the October half-term his younger brother was admitted by ambulance to hospital mid heart attack, one stent later and he was safe, but would need further treatment. It was a tough half-term, but he returned home to recuperate and seemed OK.
Unfortunately, he was readmitted at the beginning of December to hospital with chest pains and shortness of breath, they kept him in and yesterday he had a triple bypass operation. He's doing fine, but obviously, it will take time for him to get his fitness back. He's going to be in hospital over Christmas, but he will have the best care and treatment and hopefully well timed visitors to keep his spirits up without tiring him out allowing him plenty of rest and sleep to speed his recovery.
It is tough for patients and their families during these times, not only are you worried about the patient, keeping their spirits up, but you have also got to think about the costs for the patient of watching TV, lack of wifi, cost of car parking.
Why the Mediterranean Diet?
Back to the importance of diet through all of this. If your arteries get blocked, it's not as simple as putting a descaler through them as you would with your water pipes, the trick is not to get them furred up in the first place. It is frustrating seeing so many cookery programmes on TV using butter, red meats, sugar and high fats, these ingredients are addictive, if you see them you crave them and therefore eat the wrong foods.
We are currently trying to work out a starter for our Christmas lunch that isn't filled with calories, but we are now unable to serve crustaceans as Dad has an allergy, so the hunt is underway for a suitable recipe to please all.
Our mission this Christmas is to "Eat yourself well", so lots of nutrients will be needed, be prepared to eat a rainbow.
Remember for those people who take Warfarin to thin the blood, that they cannot eat Cranberries, so we've discovered that Cumberland Sauce is a perfect accompaniment to the Roast Turkey. I tend to use a jar of redcurrant jelly, make the sauce the day before and pop it back in the jar (after a thorough wash and sterilization), don't forget to re-label the jar with a special message, "Hand's off Mum's Cumberland Sauce" is a favourite with us.
Wishing everyone a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year.
When hubby had his heart attack, he was told it was hereditary! He prompted the rest of his family to get checked out to ensure they were fit and healthy. His own cholesterol check has just come back with a score of 2.7, the same as his last checkup in February, the Dr is very impressed and it's all because we are following the Mediterranean Diet as recommended in the heart books that all patients receive whilst in the Royal Bournemouth Hospital Heart Unit.
Imagine, when the week before the October half-term his younger brother was admitted by ambulance to hospital mid heart attack, one stent later and he was safe, but would need further treatment. It was a tough half-term, but he returned home to recuperate and seemed OK.
Unfortunately, he was readmitted at the beginning of December to hospital with chest pains and shortness of breath, they kept him in and yesterday he had a triple bypass operation. He's doing fine, but obviously, it will take time for him to get his fitness back. He's going to be in hospital over Christmas, but he will have the best care and treatment and hopefully well timed visitors to keep his spirits up without tiring him out allowing him plenty of rest and sleep to speed his recovery.
It is tough for patients and their families during these times, not only are you worried about the patient, keeping their spirits up, but you have also got to think about the costs for the patient of watching TV, lack of wifi, cost of car parking.
Why the Mediterranean Diet?
Back to the importance of diet through all of this. If your arteries get blocked, it's not as simple as putting a descaler through them as you would with your water pipes, the trick is not to get them furred up in the first place. It is frustrating seeing so many cookery programmes on TV using butter, red meats, sugar and high fats, these ingredients are addictive, if you see them you crave them and therefore eat the wrong foods.
We are currently trying to work out a starter for our Christmas lunch that isn't filled with calories, but we are now unable to serve crustaceans as Dad has an allergy, so the hunt is underway for a suitable recipe to please all.
Our mission this Christmas is to "Eat yourself well", so lots of nutrients will be needed, be prepared to eat a rainbow.
Remember for those people who take Warfarin to thin the blood, that they cannot eat Cranberries, so we've discovered that Cumberland Sauce is a perfect accompaniment to the Roast Turkey. I tend to use a jar of redcurrant jelly, make the sauce the day before and pop it back in the jar (after a thorough wash and sterilization), don't forget to re-label the jar with a special message, "Hand's off Mum's Cumberland Sauce" is a favourite with us.
Wishing everyone a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year.
