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Preparing for Heart Surgery: A Schedule

Posted by on October 22, 2019

Getting ready for heart surgery can be nerve-wracking--but that's completely normal. As a patient, the best thing you can do is prep, prep, prep so that you know exactly what's going to happen, what you can expect, and what's going to be expected of you. Here are a few things to keep in mind during the whole process.

The First Step: Narrow Your Focus

Although it's easy to feel like you need to worry about every little detail when it comes to heart surgery preparation, the truth is that your doctor has done this plenty of times before and is perfectly comfortable being responsible for the important stuff. All you need to do is ask the right questions and make sure you've completed a few simple tasks.

To help narrow your focus, here is a "schedule" of things you need to do before heart surgery:

Sternal Precautions: Stay Safe After Heart Surgery

Posted by on October 8, 2019

Sternal precautions are a considerable part of the recovery and healing process after heart surgery. However, many patients have a lot of questions about sternal precautions--and that's great. To help patients take an active role in their healing and understand what they need to do, we're explaining exactly what sternal precautions are, why they're essential, and how you can stick with them.

Safety First

There are a lot of options for staying safe and comfortable after heart surgery, from plenty of rest to sternal support devices. However, without sternal precautions, none of those other options would be nearly as effective. Here's everything you need to know about sternal precautions--and how to make it a habit to follow them.

What To Expect During Heart Surgery Recovery

Posted by on September 25, 2019

The period after heart surgery is important for every patient. The healing period looks different for every patient and for each surgery type, but there are a few things that you can expect during this time.

What You Might Experience

While everyone's recovery is unique, there are many experiences and situations that are common to nearly everyone.

Sleep Irregularities

You may have fatigue after the surgery, but that doesn't always translate into better sleep. You may have trouble getting to sleep and sleeping through the night for a number of reasons. One of the common reasons for this is some pain from the surgery. Taking the medication as prescribed at regular intervals allows you to keep much of the pain away. A Heart Hugger is another solution to help combat pain after heart surgery.

Sternum Stabilization During Cardiac Rehab

Posted by on September 23, 2019

Whether by devouring a book with a passionate eye for plot, rushing out of a movie theater to write a review for some lackluster storyline, or simply enjoying a favorite family narrative, we have all found it to be true: every tale has a beginning, a middle, and an end. Of course, books and movies aren't the only things to experience this uniformity--we see the same pattern in life. One such example lies in undertaking the journey that is heart surgery.

Heart patients endure the beginning of the tale, the surgery itself, and then the middle, the healing process, and finally, the end--the recovery. Today, like any good writer, medical science has started to focus on that middle section, finding ways to minimize complications so that the story itself is smoother--and sternum stabilization is just one revolutionary answer.

What to Expect on the Day of Open Heart Surgery

Posted by on August 30, 2019

There usually tends to be a lot of anxiety around the idea of open heart surgery, and typically that is because patients such as yourself aren't sure of what to expect. We wanted to put your nerves at rest as much as we can, so we're going to ease your mind by giving you a glimpse of what your day could look like when you go in for open heart surgery.

Checking In for Surgery

Medical facilities will always give you a time to report for your scheduled surgery. To make sure things go smoothly, we recommend that you leave plenty of time for yourself to get there.

You'll want to make sure you know exactly where you are supposed to be for check-in. We recommend figuring out the location, which building, and even which office you will need to report to. Many times this can be confusing the day of, so it doesn't hurt to acquaint yourself with the location beforehand.

How to Comfort Someone Before Their Open Heart Surgery

Posted by on August 25, 2019

Open heart surgery is a major medical procedure that can be intimidating for patients and their loved ones alike. Whether it's a coronary artery bypass, valve repair or replacement, or another cardiac procedure, the prospect of open heart surgery often brings a mix of hope and anxiety.

As a friend, family member, or caregiver, your support can make a significant difference in your loved one's experience before, during, and after the surgery. This comprehensive guide will help you navigate this challenging time and provide the best possible support.

UNDERSTANDING OPEN HEART SURGERY

Before diving into support strategies, it's crucial to have a basic understanding of what open heart surgery entails. This knowledge will help you better empathize with your loved one's situation and provide more informed support.

Effects On The Sternum After Heart Surgery

Posted by on August 7, 2019

There are a lot of components to consider when it comes to healing after open heart surgery, but one of the most important components is the treatment of the sternum. In truth, the sternum is actually a broken bone at the beginning of the healing process. But is it treated as such? Are there extra considerations? Here's a closer look.

Sternum Care

When it comes to any broken bone, there are four basic principles of management. These are important parts of how the sternum is treated after heart surgery. The principles are:

Symptoms and Causes of Coronary Artery Disease

Posted by on June 20, 2019

Everyone goes through cycles of health, but certain symptoms point to larger problems. If you recently discovered that you or a loved one is at risk of having or has coronary artery disease, you likely walked out of the doctor’s office with a lot of mixed feelings and confusion. What is coronary artery disease? How could it affect you or your loved one going forward? What needs to change in your life or the life of your loved one to minimize the risks?

What is Coronary Artery Disease?

There are major blood vessels (coronary arteries) that supply your heart with the blood, oxygen, and nutrients it needs. When these blood vessels become damaged or diseased, that is known as coronary artery disease. Usually, plaque and inflammation are to blame for this disease.

Post-Heart Surgery Infections & Hospital Implications

Posted by on May 28, 2019

The patients who undergo heart surgery are susceptible to a host of complications that can set in during their stay in the hospital. When any of these happen, it can cause enormous problems for the hospital. To keep that from happening, there are a few steps you can take for patients and hospital safety.

Preventing Patient Infections

One of the most-feared complications after heart surgery is an infection setting in. The degree of seriousness can vary greatly, ranging from a small infection that causes discomfort to massive infection that puts the patient's life in danger.

How to Provide Great Care for Your Patients

Posted by on May 21, 2019

The care that you provide to patients goes a long way toward their recovery. Healing isn't just a physical tasks: it's also one that is guided by our emotions and stress levels.

Have a Caring and Professional Staff

There will be many staff members that will come into contact with your patients to provide heart surgery patient care. Each one of those staff members should be well-trained both in their bedside manner and their medical duties. The staff should have a positive attitude that helps patients believe in themselves and their futures. Make sure they know to keep their promises to patients and to stay on top of any problems. Only thorough training can show employees how important these factors are and how much they are stressed in your medical environment.