To help people with congestive heart failure find low-salt foods at their favorite eateries, nurses at Baptist Health Line are working with area restaurants to provide a list of options.

“Changing eating habits is both a necessary and challenging part of treatment for people with congestive heart failure,” said Chris Janne, R.N., at Baptist Health Line and member of a team of healthcare professionals at Western Baptist focused on helping people with heart failure. “Dining out can pose an even more difficult challenge since many restaurants offer few, if any, low-sodium options.”

So Janne asked the Paducah Hospitality Association for help.

Association president Bob Hoppmann, owner of The Pasta House Co., said he hopes area restaurants will sign on to accommodate customers’ needs.

“Any restaurant worth its salt should assist a patron with a low-salt or no-salt request,” said Hoppmann. “And patrons should not be afraid to speak up and request alternative menu selections. Restaurant managers should grant requests when they are able to do so.”

Hoppmann said the Paducah Hospitality Association gladly will help get the word out. 

Janne said many questions she takes from heart patients have to do with the sodium-restricted diet prescribed by their physicians. “A lot of them enjoy dining out,” said Janne, “but find it difficult to choose meals fitting the prescribed dietary guidelines.”

The American Heart Association lists a low sodium diet as consuming less than 2,000 milligrams of sodium daily. Janne said one entree alone at most restaurants contains at least 1,000 milligrams or more of salt.

“Watching salt intake is particularly important for a congestive heart failure patient,” said Janne. “but so is living a normal life. It’s our hope that area restaurants will accommodate their needs just the same as the average diner.”

Congestive heart failure, when the heart loses the ability to efficiently pump blood, affects more than 550,000 Americans each year. Symptoms can include:

• Weakness or exhaustion with little exertion
• Shortness of breath
• Rapid weight gain
• Swelling in the abdomen, ankles or feet
• Confusion or trouble concentrating
• Dizziness or fainting
• Racing or irregular heartbeat.

Restaurants or people wanting more information can phone Baptist Health Line at (270) 575-2918.