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What to Expect After Heart Surgery

Posted by on January 4, 2016

Do you remember the first time you saw a diagram of a real human heart? The sight was probably shocking, considering most of us spend our young childhood years imagining a heart as a simple, rounded shape that exchanges medical accuracy for endearing charm. Your viewpoint of the heart was changing, and suddenly, your own heart seemed alien and extraordinary. After cardiac surgery, the same thing is happening--your viewpoint of your own heart is changing once again. As a result, it can often be a great comfort to simply know what to expect after heart surgery.

The History of Sternal Dehiscence

Posted by on December 14, 2015

The midline sternotomy made its entrance into the clinical world, but not without complications. Sternal infection was on the rise. Sternal dehiscence was treated with open drainage and debridement with packing. Results included complications like graft exposure, desiccation of wound margins, osteomyelitis, and death. In 1963, Shucker and Mandelbaum introduced closed management with catheter-antibiotic irrigation. Survival rates increased, but they were still pretty slim. With the mortality risks, there was great desire to discover better wound care.

Changes in Management

First of all, sternal instability was causing mediastinal infections of the wounds. The surgeon must take the time to use the meticulous technique when doing a sternotomy. Proper placement reduces the risks of mediastinitis.

Promote Healing with a Postoperative Bra

Posted by on December 4, 2015

If you or someone you love is recovering from thoracic surgery, it is possible to experience greater comfort and pain management with the use of a Postoperative Bra which offers complete wound support. This device also contributes to a quicker return to pre-operative respiratory function, because when the patient's pain levels are reduced they are more willing to exercise their lungs.

Here are some of the benefits provided by a Post-operative Bra

Tension on the incision site is eliminated by the immediate support gained from a post-operative bra. Healing is promoted when the weight and movement of breast tissue is contained and supported. Postoperative Bras reduce the risk of wound complications because they support breast tissue, thus prohibiting any pulling on sternotomy wounds.

Adjusting the Sternum Stabilization Harness

Posted by on November 16, 2015

Patients who have recently had thoracic surgery benefit greatly from having additional sternum support that a harness provides. Making simple adjustments in the way the Heart Hugger Sternum Support Harness is worn can make all the difference in patient comfort. Follow some of these simple guidelines to make your experience with this product more satisfactory.

Greater Support

If you do not seem to be getting enough support with your Sternum Support Harness, it may be because the Velcro on the handles needs to be tightened. Tighten the Velcro straps on both sides of the handles. Make adjustments in small increments, keeping the handles symmetrical and centered, and the same distance away from your sternum.

Positioning

If your Heart Hugger is riding up under your arms, please adjust the suspender-like shoulder straps which controls the height of the chest strap. Loosen the straps equally to keep front handles even in front.

Physical Activity as Cardiac Surgery Rehabilitation

Posted by on November 6, 2015

For most of our lives, physical activity has been like a cloudy sky. For some of us, the clouds are fresh and bright, and for others, the clouds are gray and stormy. Regardless of whether we live for the treadmill or constantly invent excuses to avoid the gym, exercise is a thought that always hangs over us, and its importance throughout our lives is undeniable. However, there are some points in life when physical activity becomes less a cloudy sky, to be looked up at and contemplated on, and more a hurdle that must be crossed as part of rehabilitation. After heart surgery, this is especially true.

Cardiac Rehab After Heart Surgery

Posted by on November 5, 2015

When you consider the words "heart surgery," what is it that first comes to mind? For most of us, it's the beginning: preparing for surgery, the surgery itself, and the hospital stay. Of course, this is a big part of heart surgery. These first steps are important, and it's no wonder that these steps are the ones that most eagerly leap to mind when we think about heart surgery. But there is a second, equally important part--another set of steps--which comes after the heart surgery. What we must consider now is cardiac surgery rehabilitation.

How to Comfort Someone Before Their Open Heart Surgery

Posted by on October 27, 2015

No matter how young or old you are, surgery is a scary thing. If you're the friend, close relative or even nurse of someone about to go in for surgery, how do you comfort and reassure them? It isn't always obvious!

But It's Simple

We think of comforting words like "it'll be okay" as a bit useless. They're simply not. Put yourself in the place of your friend or relative. They're nervous, trying not to think about it, but still trying to prepare. They might like to hear encouraging words like:

Breathing After Surgery

Posted by on October 20, 2015

When you think about what makes you you, what is it that first comes to mind? Is it your physical features, like the specific shade of your eyes that you've never seen mimicked anywhere else? Is it a special skill? Is it some complex combination of the books you've read, the songs you've heard, the people you've met, and the things you've done? Whatever comes to mind when you think about yourself as an individual, it's likely not the simple yet incredibly important act of breathing. Breathing is an important part of every life, yet it is often overlooked as an automatic and unnoticed detail--but after surgery, that can all change.

Common Effects of Heart Surgery

Posted by on October 16, 2015

With heart surgery each patient responds differently. However, there are side effects that are typical after this surgery, while there are side effects that aren’t so typical. It is extremely important that patients are aware of the differences between certain side effects that are expected, and ones that need immediate attention.

Normal side effects:

Mood swings
Loss of appetite
Sleepless nights
Muscle pain or tightness

Side effects that need immediate attention:

Start the Recovery Process after Heart Surgery

Posted by on October 16, 2015

Each year millions of people around the world undergo some sort of heart surgery. The recovery period for these procedures is based on a number of things. They type of surgery itself will play a role in recovery. Along with this is the need to pay strict attention to doctor’s instructions. Your incision is a focal point in this process. Taking care of the incision point is very important. These are some of the steps for incision care:

Clean and Dry Wound
Use Only Soap and Water
Maintain a Healthy Diet
Protect Incision Site

Heart Hugger is a fine example of a support product for the sternum. This is a useful product that can help patients after their heart surgeries. It is strategic when it comes to protecting the incision site. Each of the steps for securing this site is a part of the recovery process. Let’s take a look at some other things to consider in this area.

Watch for Infection