Blanchard Valley Health System

By Nancy Proctor, BSN, MAE
Patient Experience Educator

Our survival depends on human interaction, which creates connection, trust and safety. Deep-seated in all of this is effective, “real” communication.

Believe it or not, despite the healthcare industry’s state-of-the-art everything (technology, equipment, buildings, campuses), the number one way we still treat our patients and families is through communication.

Explanation, education and information sharing are a large part of the patient experience, as we include the patient and family as partners in the healthcare team. In this way, healthcare professionals create mutual purpose via diagnosis, treatment and health management, in order to facilitate the most optimal health outcomes for the patient. Through dialogue, we also help develop mutual accountability. We are going to take care of you while you’re here and teach you how to take care of yourself when you’re not. This relationship is a winning combination for all.

By Alyse Turner, BSN, RN
Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgery Coordinator / Open Heart Surgery Educator
Heart & Vascular Specialists of Northwest Ohio

A heart-healthy diet includes low cholesterol, low saturated fat, low sodium and low salt. This may seem overwhelming, but one can start by reading labels on food products and looking at the cholesterol, fat, sodium and sugar contents to get an idea of what types of foods have those higher contents. Once familiarized with those higher-content foods, it will be easier to adjust what is put in the grocery cart at the store. 

When cooking a meal, avoid frying foods. Other options are baking, broiling, grilling, steaming or poaching food. Canola oil and olive oil are good to use to prepare the food. Avoid using salt in recipes and having salt on the dinner table. Food can still be very flavorful using herbs, spices that are low sodium, and vegetables to season your food. Cracked pepper, garlic, onions, parsley and rosemary are some of the many options to get flavorful food without the sodium. Avoid smoking and excessive use of alcohol and caffeine as well; those can impact the whole circulatory system by making the lungs and or heart work harder.