Helping patients create and adhere to a heart-healthy lifestyle is part of any comprehensive cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program. When it comes to nutrition, we recommend the Mediterranean diet. Why? This approach helps lower high blood pressure and LDL cholesterol, as well as reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, stroke and Type II diabetes.
Here’s what you need to know:
The Mediterranean Eating Plan
As the name suggests, the diet is inspired by the cooking and eating styles of countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. The plan focuses on eating primarily fresh, unprocessed foods that are high in monounsaturated fats. The diet consists of mostly plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and nuts, and limits red meat intake.
The Mediterranean Diet Questionnaire
To help you and your patients determine how closely they are adhering to the diet, we’ve created a 14-point questionnaire. A higher score indicates better adherence.
