SHREVEPORT, La. - Thanksgiving is a time for family, food, and tradition, but doctors say the holiday season is also one of the most dangerous times of year for people living with heart failure.
Emergency room visits spike during the holidays for patients with heart failure. One big holiday meal can trigger a serious heart failure exacerbation. Patients may feel fatigue, shortness of breath, swelling, or trouble lying down flat.
"Heart failure does not mean the heart has stopped pumping. It means the heart is maybe weak or stiff and unable to pump the blood out, which is required for the body to function fine," said Dr. Syed Siddiqullah, who goes by Dr. Sid, a heart failure specialist with Ochsner LSU Health.
These patients are more prone to fluid overload. The classic Thanksgiving spread, often high in sodium, can quickly worsen symptoms of heart failure. Turkey, canned gravies, dressings, ham, rolls, and even low calorie drinks often pack hidden salt.
When combined with extra fluid intake, it can be a dangerous combination for the heart.
"We ask patients to limit the fluid intake for 24 hours, Up to 1.5 to 2 liters. And also, we tell them to not take extra salt, too, because if they take salt, it follows water," Sid explained.
Fluid intake includes water but also many other things: coffee, tea, soda, broth, milk, juice, as well as soups, broths, ice and ice cream.
Signs of a Thanksgiving exacerbation or fluid overload include swelling in the belly and legs, shortness of breath, passing out, or rapid weight gain.
"If the weight is going up by, let's say, 3 pounds in 24 hours, which cannot be explained through other means, like not a good appetite or something else that is fluid unless proven otherwise. And we tell them to take an extra fluid pill," Sid said.
Small changes to help heart failure patients enjoy Thanksgiving without risking a hospital visit:
Adhering to current medication schedule and taking fluid pills as directed by your doctorLimiting fluid intakeChecking labels for salt and limit to about 2,000 mg of sodium per day.Depending on the severity of the disease, a higher protein diet rich in lean proteins like chicken and fish may be recommended.