Healthy eating is a good idea for everyone but it is even more important for people living with a heart pump. Here's what I've learned about nutrition, anticoagulants, and managing my LVAD therapy.

LVAD + Nutrition

LVAD, Nutrition and Blood Thinners

April 25, 2019

8 min read

Somaneh Bouba

Healthy eating is a good idea for everyone but it is even more important for people living with a heart pump. Here's what I've learned about nutrition, anticoagulants, and managing my LVAD therapy.

Nutrition After LVAD Implantation

Because of the pump location inside the body, right after the implant, I couldn't really eat solids. My appetite was reduced but over time, this improved. I first started by eating smaller meals throughout the day. Until my appetite returned (about 6 weeks post-op), my diet was often supplemented by high-calorie or high-protein liquid beverages. I loved those smoothies and milkshakes!

I have to follow a good Heart Failure nutrition therapy which primarily involves limiting my salt intake and restricting the amount of fluid I take in.

Anticoagulants and Vitamin K

As part of my LVAD therapy, I need to take blood-thinning medications (anticoagulants) to reduce the risk of thrombosis (blood clotting). When it comes to nutritional precautions, certain foods can influence the effects of these medications:

Foods high in Vitamin K such as dark green leafy vegetables, avocado, and asparagus can decrease the effectiveness of blood thinners
Cranberry juice can increase the effectiveness of the anticoagulant and cause the blood to be too thin (so does alcohol)
Consistency is key, I have to eat about the same amount of vitamin K foods on different days

I actively work with my nutritionist/dietician and medical teams to adjust and adapt my dietary plan over time.

PT/INR Home Testing

A few weeks ago, my LVAD clinic team started trusting me with doing my own PT/INR blood test at home. Doing the test at home saves me weekly trips to the blood lab along with much time and money.

With the Anticoagulation pharmacists, we keep the device calibrated. I communicate my weekly results through an app on my phone. When my results fall out of range, we make quick adjustments as needed.

"So far, with the great help of my boy, we're doing good. And we're making the most of the extra time with our family and friends."