A low-salt diet is prescribed only for patients with heart failure who require water pills (diuretics) or digoxin, as well as for the previously hypertensive patient (see Table 3). Patients are advised on the use of a weight-reduction diet and a modified diet to reduce cholesterol and saturated fat intake. Lipid-lowering drugs are administered to patients who have an LDL cholesterol greater than 100 mg/dl (2.5 mmol).
The total cholesterol, LDL, and HDL cholesterol are estimated for the patient in the hospital and three months later. The goal is to maintain the LDL cholesterol at less than 100 mg/dl (2.5 mmol; see section XXIII). Alcohol should be avoided for the first four weeks; thereafter one to two ounces daily are allowed. Alcohol is restricted if heart failure is present or if the heart is enlarged.