Cardiology and cardiothoracic

Conditions we manage

The team provides dietetic input for patients undergoing transplantation and aortic surgery, using an evidence-based approach. The service includes providing nutrition support from the critical care setting through step-down to ward level, as well as supporting rehabilitation goals to maximise recovery and reduce hospital length of stay.

Cardiac conditions

• coronary artery disease
• Heart failure (congestive and advanced)
• Atrial fibrillation and other arrhythmias
• Valvular heart disease
• Cardiomyopathy
• Hypertension
• Hyperlipidaemia
• Pre- and post-cardiac surgery nutrition
• Heart transplant nutritional management
• Post-operative wound healing and malnutrition risk

Thoracic conditions

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Lung cancer (pre- and post-surgery)
• Pleural effusion
• Pneumonectomy or lobectomy recovery
• Esophagectomy nutrition support
• Respiratory failure
• Pre- and post-lung transplant nutrition

Surgical and critical care support

• Nutritional support (enteral feeding)
• Catabolic stress and inflammation management
• Fluid and electrolyte management post-surgery

Nutritional risk factors management

• Malnutrition or cachexia
• Obesity
• Unintentional weight loss
• Diabetes and blood sugar management
• Swallowing difficulties post-surgery
• Poor appetite or gastrointestinal intolerances

What to expect 

The service provides specialist nutritional expertise across cardiac, thoracic, surgical and critical care settings. Guidance is available on a wide range of special diets, including cardio-protective, low-sodium and fluid-restricted diets, as well as high-protein, high-energy and enteral feeding plans.

The team values educating patients to learn how to:

• manage symptoms
• interpret food labels 
• adopt heart-healthy dietary choices in preparation for returning home

Who we work with

• Cardiologists and respiratory physicians
• Cardiothoracic surgeons
• Critical care and ICU teams
• Ward nurses and specialist nurses
• Allied healthcare professionals (speech and language therapists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists)
• Pharmacists
• Catering services
• Patients and family/carers

How to be referred

You can access a dietitian through the inpatient service or as part of the cardiac rehabilitation pathway.

Inpatient service

A referral can be made by ward staff if any of the following apply:

• you are identified as being at risk of malnutrition following assessment with the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool.
• you are experiencing difficulties with oral intake, swallowing or appetite
• you have diabetes, renal disease or fluid restrictions that are influencing your nutritional needs.

Cardiac rehabilitation service

Referrals can also be made through cardiac rehabilitation services as part of the wider multidisciplinary team.

Get in touch

• 0121 371 3485