This page was reviewed by the ERAS Cardiac Editorial Team and is provided for general education only. Always talk with your care team about your individual treatment plan and recovery needs.
Why Nutrition Matters in Heart Surgery
Good nutrition before and after heart surgery can help you recover faster, feel stronger, and lower your risk of complications. Your body uses nutrients to heal wounds, fight infection, and rebuild energy after surgery. The food you eat is part of your care.
Before surgery, your team may ask questions about your eating habits, weight changes, and overall health to look for signs of malnutrition. After surgery, you’ll continue to receive support to make sure your body gets what it needs to heal.
Getting Ready for Surgery
During your pre-surgery appointments, you may be asked:
- Have you lost weight without trying?
- Have you had trouble eating lately?
- Do you feel weaker than usual?
Your care team may check your weight, ask about your diet, and review bloodwork. This helps them understand how to best support your nutrition during your recovery.
If needed, your team may recommend changes to your eating habits or suggest supplements to help strengthen your body before surgery.
Healing Through Nutrition
After surgery, nutrition continues to play an important role in your recovery. Here are some ways your care team may support you:
- Starting nutrition early: You may be encouraged to eat or drink as soon as it is safe to do so after surgery.
- Focusing on protein: Foods with protein help your body repair tissue and build strength.
- Getting the right balance: Your team may suggest foods or drinks that provide important vitamins, minerals, and calories to support healing.
- Adjusting as you go: Everyone recovers differently. Your plan may change based on how you’re feeling and healing.
What You Can Do
- Let your team know if you are having trouble eating or keeping food down
- Follow nutrition plans or supplement instructions given by your doctor or dietitian
- Ask questions if you're unsure what to eat at home after discharge
- Try to include protein, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your meals whenever possible
- Stay hydrated by drinking enough fluids, unless your care team tells you otherwise
At a Glance
- Nutrition is part of your surgery care
- Eating well can help you heal faster and feel stronger
- Your care team may screen you for malnutrition
- Protein and balanced meals are important before and after surgery
- Talk to your team about any nutrition concerns
ERAS Cardiac VEC Disclaimer
The Virtual Education Center (VEC) and all included content are provided for general education about enhanced recovery after cardiac surgery. The information has been reviewed by healthcare professionals but is not meant to replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Every patient’s situation is unique. Always talk with your own doctor or care team about what is best for you.
For questions or comments about the ERAS Cardiac VEC, please contact us.
AI Assistance Statement
This summary was developed with assistance from artificial intelligence and reviewed, edited, and approved by the listed editor(s). Reference: OpenAI (2025). ChatGPT (November version) [Large language model].
https://chat.openai.com