Preparing for Heart Surgery
Open heart surgery involves any kind of surgery where the chest has to be cut open to allow surgeons access to muscles, valves, or arteries of the heart. This type of surgery generally takes around 4 to 6 hours but it painless with the use of anesthesia. Any kind of surgery can cause stress and anxiety because of the worry that something will go wrong, but here are a few tips on preparing for your surgery:
- Talk to your doctor. Your doctor should know about any drugs you are taking. This includes any over-the-counter medication as well as vitamins and herbs. You should also tell your doctor about any diseases you have had including herpes, a cold, the flu, or even a fever.
- Don’t take certain medicines like aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen. These medications are blood-thinning and can affect blood clotting.
- Be careful when you eat. It is recommended that you don’t eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your surgery.
- Quit smoking. If you are having your heart surgery because of the harmful effects of smoking, you need to stop as soon as possible.
- Eat a healthy diet. Starting to eat healthier will lower your blood pressure and could help prevent heart complications after your surgery.
These are just a few general preparation tips to think about before your surgery, but your doctor will talk to you about anything else you may want to consider if your surgery date is approaching.
Dr. Chiuffo and the Minimally Invasive and Bloodless Heart Surgery Program
Dr. Chiuffo is dedicated to ensuring your heart surgery is successful and that you have a low recovery time. If you have any questions about your open heart surgery or how you should prepare for it, feel free to contact us at (330) 588-4676 or visit ourcontact page online.
