For Patients, Their Families & Friends:
From people who've been through heart & blood vessel surgery
What to expect...
What to ask...
What to do...
When it comes to patient education, we believe that people who have been through heart and blood vessel surgery - and their families and friends - are the real experts on living with cardiovascular disease.
So we talk with - and listen closely to - people who've been through heart surgery (like open-heart bypass) and blood vessel surgery (like leg artery bypass). We also learn from their families and friends, those unsung heroes who give so much support. We've found that they all have a lot to tell us about getting through the ordeal of surgery - and healing.
Below you'll find quotes, advice and comfort from people who've "been there" - and a few of our own tips as well. We've learned that different people have a wide range of experiences with surgery. While we try to focus on the information that people tell us about again and again, keep in mind that your experiences may still be different.
Getting the information you need
If you don't understand what your doctor is saying, ask her or him to…
- Repeat - in different words - what he or she said.
- Allow you to repeat back what you heard.
- Define any medical terms you don't understand.
- Show you some pictures.
- Tell you about specific books or web sites where you can get more information.
- Allow you to tape record so you can replay later on.
- Allow you to bring a relative or friend as another pair of ears.
Recommended reading
- You Can Beat Heart Disease: Prevention and Treatment, Lester R. Sauvage, MD. To order Dr. Sauvage's book, call toll-free: (800) 888-4741 for more information visit www.drsauvage.com.
- The American Heart Association's Your Heart: An Owner's Manual
- Heart Owner's Handbook: Live Longer and Feel Better, The Texas Heart Institute
- Dr. Dean Ornish's Program for Reversing Heart Disease
Look for support
- Talk to other people who have had your type of cardiovascular surgery or problem. Hearing their stories can help you know what to expect.
- Find a support group. The Mended Hearts, Inc. is one support group for heart surgery patients and their caregivers. They have close to 300 chapters in the United States. The Mended Hearts, Inc. national phone: (214) 706-1442 www.mendedhearts.org.
- Write down your questions as soon as you think of them. Keep them with you when you call or visit your doctor.
Plan for coming home…
- Start thinking about your recovery and healing now.
- Stock your pantry and/or refrigerator with ready-to-eat items.
- Make and freeze meals.
- Pack a small bag of personal items (like toiletries, things to do/read, and a change of clothes) for someone to bring to the hospital for you after your surgery.
Get your home ready for your return. Prepare a comfortable, quiet space with easy access to the things you may need. If climbing stairs will be difficult when you return, consider temporarily "moving" to your ground floor.
- Make a list of important numbers, including: your Social Security number, your insurance plan and/or Medicare numbers, family and friends' phone numbers.
- Choose one person to call family and friends with updates on how you are doing.
Make arrangements for…
- A ride home from the hospital.
- Someone to bring in the mail and/or take care of your pets.
- Someone to help you for at least a week once you get home. (Note: Recovery times vary from person to person and surgery to surgery. For example, people who have open-heart surgery usually require more help during their first few weeks at home than those who have carotid artery surgery.)
- If you live alone, ask your nurse, doctor, hospital social worker, and/or discharge planner about professional home-care help in your area.
A "to do" list…
- Ask your doctor about pre-surgery instructions and write them down.
- Ask what medications you need to take (or stop taking) before surgery.
- Don't eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your surgery.
- If your doctor says you must take a pill the morning of your surgery, take it with small sips of water.
- Shower before you leave for the hospital.
Things to take to the hospital the day of your surgery…
- Your health insurance and/or Medicare card
- A list of your medicines: which ones you take, how much, and how often
- A list of any questions or concerns you may have
- Something to read or do, in case you have to wait
- Personal things (like glasses, hearing aids and dentures)
If you don't have someone to hold your things during surgery, your nurse will put them in a safe place. It's best to leave your valuables (like money, jewelry, watch, wedding ring) at home.
Later, have family or friends bring…
- A robe, slippers and toiletries
- Things to do: a pen and pad of paper, your favorite books and magazines
- A tape player with headphones and relaxing cassette tapes
- Comfortable clothes for going home
- Some money, a checkbook, or a credit card (to pay for medications at the hospital pharmacy, or other items if needed)
Common hospital abbreviations (Not all hospitals use these abbreviations)
People…
CNA = Certified Nurse's Assistant
EMT = Emergency Medical Technician
LPN = Licensed Practical Nurse
MD = Medical Doctor
MSW = Master of Social Work
PA-C = Physician's Assistant-Certified
PT = Physical Therapist
RD = Registered Dietitian
RN = Registered Nurse
RT = Radiologic Technician or Respiratory Therapist
Places...
CICU = Coronary Intensive Care Unit
ER = Emergency Room
ICU = Intensive Care Unit
OR = Operating Room
PACU = Post-Anesthesia Care Unit
PCU = Progressive Care Unit
SCU = Special Care Unit
For Family & Friends Things you can do to help
Take care of yourself...
- Eat regular, healthful meals.
- Get enough sleep and exercise.
- Ask for help when you need it. You don't have to be a "superperson."
- Do only what really needs to be done. Put off unimportant tasks.
- Find time to relax. Read, nap, or take a long bath.
- Keep your sense of humor.
Throughout the experience…
- Be an advocate for the person having surgery. The combination of emotions, stress and the busy hospital environment can be overwhelming. After surgery, pain medications can make the patient groggy and "out of it."
- Speak up if the person you're helping through surgery isn't getting his or her needs met.
- If things seem confusing, ask questions.
- Ask about options if you don't like the way something is being done.
- Write down important information, or ask for written instructions.
During surgery…
- Read a good book.
- Go for a short walk (but tell the desk staff in case they need to find you).
- Browse at the hospital gift shop. Pick up a favorite magazine.
- Write a letter to the person in surgery. Or, write a letter you've been putting off.
- Focus on the positive. Imagine the surgery going well.
Before going home…
- Ask for what you need. Some patients and their caregivers feel a sense of abandonment when they go home after surgery because they don't have enough information. Some feel they are not ready to go home. Others are afraid they won't know what to do if something goes wrong. Getting answers before you leave will help ease these feelings.
- Find out who to call if there's a problem. Get the names and numbers of those you can call with questions.
- Ask about symptoms to watch for that would require a call or visit to the hospital or doctor.
- Most people get written "discharge instructions" - information about going home after surgery. Read them before you leave the hospital, and ask questions if anything is unclear. If discharge instructions aren't available, ask for spoken instructions and write them down.
After surgery…
- Be observant. Keep an eye on the surgical wound(s) and on the patient's general well-being.
- Ask what you can do to help. Try not to "baby" or be too "pushy."
- Keep in mind that some people like a lot of attention - but others don't.
- Encourage independence. Patients who can do more for themselves usually heal faster.
- Help keep track of medications: which ones to take, how much, and how often.
- Help keep track of medical bills. It helps to keep all information in one place.
Recovery in the hospital
Depending on your type of surgery, you may wake up with...
(Ask your doctor what to expect for your type of surgery.)
- Intravenous lines (IV) in your arm or hand to give you medicine, fluids and/or nourishment. Don't worry if it starts beeping. This means your nurse needs to check it to adjust the fluids.
- A breathing tube (attached to a respirator) in your throat to help you breathe. Try to relax if this is uncomfortable.
- Many people wake up with a gagging sensation. Relax and let the machine breathe for you until it's removed (usually within 12 hours).
- You may have soft wrist restraints to remind you not to pull on the tube. (The restraints are removed when the breathing tube is taken out.)
- You won't be able to talk with the tube in. You can nod your head "yes" and "no" to answer questions.
- Monitoring wires on your chest (EKG lines) or on your stomach (pacemaker wires) to check your heart.
- A tube placed through your nose to your stomach to remove swallowed air and fluid. (This helps you feel less sick to your stomach.)
- Chest tubes to drain excess fluid.
- A bladder catheter to drain urine. (This may make you feel like you have to urinate.)
Pain management
- Most patients need pain medication about every three to four hours after surgery.
- It's important to get something for pain before it gets uncomfortable. Ask your nurse for pain medication if it hasn't been given to you.
- Pain medication can make you feel groggy, confused and/or "out of it."
- Most cardiovascular surgery patients don't have severe pain. But if you do feel pain, don't be afraid to ask for medication.
Going home - discharge instructions
Most people get written discharge instructions - information about going home after surgery - just before leaving the hospital. Some people tell us it was hard to understand or remember these instructions after surgery, because pain medication made them groggy.
If written discharge instructions aren't available for you, ask someone to write them down (printing clearly) - including who to call with questions. When you get settled at home, read the instructions carefully, and call if you have any questions or concerns.
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