Today, cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of death both in the world and in our country. For this reason, although modern treatment methods are being developed in the treatment of these diseases, surgical treatment methods are used successfully. In any case, the daily lives of patients who undergo endovascular intervention or standard surgical intervention due to cardiovascular diseases change after the intervention. Cardiovascular Surgery Specialist Op.Dr.Ülkü Yıldız gave information about the subject.
While some problems and difficulties that may be encountered, especially in the early stages, can sometimes be easily resolved, sometimes they may require re-admission to the hospital. The information we try to give here will shed light on these problems. Since each patient needs to be evaluated individually, it will be much more beneficial for our patients to contact their physicians when necessary.
Just as each patient should be evaluated individually, each intervention and surgery should also be evaluated individually. The interventions and surgeries performed vary in the healing process depending on the person's structure.
Frequently encountered problems after heart surgeries and answers to frequently asked questions can be listed as follows.
-Respiratory distress and cough: After the surgery. It can be seen in the early stages. Breathing exercises help you relax. If it does not go away with rest or if it is accompanied by symptoms such as palpitations, chest pain, cold sweats, nausea and vomiting, it is necessary to consult your doctor. Cough is the body's defense mechanism and is beneficial as long as there are no other symptoms and it does not cause discomfort to the patient.
-Lack of appetite, constipation: It may take a long time for your appetite to fully return. This is a completely temporary situation and will resolve in a week or two.
Choosing foods with fiber in particular will prevent constipation. If you have previously used medications for constipation, use them. Otherwise, anti-constipation medications may be given or your diet may be adjusted.
-Swelling: Swelling may occur especially in your leg or arm where the vein was taken. Keep your swollen arm or leg above heart level. What's that Use the recommended elastic bandages or socks.
-Insomnia, mood changes: It is common to have difficulty falling asleep or to wake up in the middle of the night and not be able to fall asleep again. Let daytime sleep be quality night sleep. Feeling bad and depressed temporarily may be observed.
-Sweating: Excessive sweating may occur in the postoperative period. Prefer cotton clothes.
-Swelling at the upper end of the chest wound: This swelling, which occurs as a result of the surgical technique, has no harm other than visual appearance. This situation will resolve itself after a while after the wound heals.
-Pain is frequently observed in surgical areas in the shoulder, back and chest area, especially due to trauma related to the musculoskeletal system. For this purpose, discharge prescriptions usually include simple painkillers. Although it is different for each patient, it may take 4-6 weeks for the pain to disappear completely.
-Some wounds such as numbness, tingling, numbness, pinprick or numbness in the surgical areas of the chest wall, arms and legs where the grafts used in coronary bypass surgeries are taken. Findings related to healing will disappear over time.
Contrary to popular belief, people who have had heart surgery staying in the hospital for a long time does not provide the most peaceful environment for the patients. Because no matter how clean the hospital is, there are many people with microorganisms and there is a lot of noise despite all precautions. As the duration of hospital stay increases, there is a serious increase in infections and sleep disorders.
It may be considered to restrict the number of visitors after discharge and it is recommended that you rest by apologizing to your guests when you are tired.
WOUND CARE
It is important to check the surgical areas at regular intervals and monitor the wound site for excessive sensitivity, redness, swelling, discharge and fever. Do not rub your wound areas with a scrub or soap cloth. Do not apply cream, lotion or similar substances to the wound areas unless recommended by your physician. Usually the skin absorbs the stitches There are stitches that may occur. Stitches that need to be removed later should be removed by your doctor during check-ups. Protect your wounds from direct sunlight. Exposure to sunlight causes the wound areas to darken.
In the period after heart surgery in which the breastbone is completely opened, one of the most important situations is to lie on your back until this bone is completely fused and healed. Lying on your side and asymmetrical reverse movements may cause your sternum to not heal, malunion, deteriorate lung functions, and will cause the most important bone integrity obstacle that prevents infection agents that may come from outside through the skin to be eliminated.
Stand in the same position for a long time. It should be avoided; when you sit, extend your legs on a high stool or coffee table to relieve venous return. If there is swelling in your legs, lift them higher. If the swelling in your legs does not decrease or is greater than expected, consult your doctor. Swelling is expected in the leg where the collecting veins used in coronary bypass surgeries are removed. Continue wearing elastic stockings for as long as your doctor recommends. Take off your socks at night and put them on before getting out of bed in the morning. If you wear them during the day, elevate your leg and put them on after waiting 20 minutes. Wash your socks with soap and warm water and leave them to dry in a towel without wringing them out.
WHEN SHOULD YOU APPLY TO THE HOSPITAL?
The day you are discharged is determined and The first check will be made on the check day and time notified to you. The discharge training provided during this discharge process is a training in which very important information is gained for both the patient and the patient's relatives and answers to individual specific questions can be obtained. The patient's relative should obtain this information carefully and review the guides delivered to the patients. He/she should consult a physician for any questions he/she cannot find answers to before leaving the hospital. Be sure to read the epicrisis report, which provides information about your surgery and the tests and treatments performed during your stay in the hospital, and keep it with you during the check-ups.
Before the scheduled check-up date;
Serious chest pain similar to pre-operative pain, palpitations accompanied by shortness of breath, shortness of breath that does not go away with rest, high fever with chills, coughing up fresh red blood, sudden loss of sensation and movement in the legs and arms, fainting, newly developed nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, One should apply to the hospital again in cases such as frequent urination with the consistency of tar, vomiting in the form of coffee grounds, redness in the wound area, swelling, warmth, continuous bleeding and discharge, skin rashes, extreme fatigue, burning sensation while urinating, frequent urination, and blood in the urine.
DRIVING
You may be allowed to drive 8 weeks after surgery. If you attempt this job before, you may experience pain in your arms and shoulders when moving the steering wheel, and it may cause problems if you cannot move as quickly as necessary.
HOUSEHOLDINGS
When you feel fit and able to do it (about 3-3 days). 4 weeks), you can start doing light housework and also do light gardening. You should avoid heavy lifting for 2 months following your surgery. Follow exercise, diet and rehabilitation programs that will enable you to return to daily life quickly.
SEXUAL LIFE
It is generally recommended to wait 4 weeks after the surgery. It should be tried when you feel spiritually ready, without putting pressure on yourself or your couple. It will be necessary to determine the most suitable position that does not strain your breathing and chest and does not cause distress. You should not be upset if early attempts are unsuccessful or challenging. Performance-enhancing drugs can be used in patients undergoing heart surgery, provided that they are evaluated by a heart specialist. People who have recently had a heart attack should avoid it.
BATH
You can take your normal bath and the thin crusts around your wounds will soften and fall off. There is no harm in getting soapy water on your wounds. It will be easier for you to take a shower while sitting in the first few days.
NUTRITION
After the surgery. In the following days, you will need an excessive amount of calories to speed up your recovery. Therefore, do not go on any diet for a month. Eat whatever you want, as long as it is low in salt. But you should know that in the long term after surgery, it is absolutely necessary for your blood lipids to be low. This can only be achieved with a lifelong healthy diet. For this reason, definitely stay away from animal fats (butter, tallow) and fatty cheese.
Definitely use liquid oils (sunflower, corn germ, soybean oil and olive oil) in meals. Stay away from red meat (especially lamb). Eat plenty of fish, chicken and turkey. You can eat egg whites or 1-2 whole eggs a week. The main basis of nutrition should be plenty of vegetables and fruits. With this type of nutrition, your blood fats will be regulated and it will also provide a solution to your weight problem.
ALCOHOL
It is okay to drink small amounts, such as a glass of red wine or a double distilled spirit, after you return home. There is no. You should avoid excessive alcohol consumption throughout your life. If you are taking sleeping pills, sedatives or any painkillers, the effects of the drugs may increase when combined with alcohol. Since alcohol will affect the liver metabolism of serious blood thinning drugs such as anticoagulants (Warfarin), it is recommended that patients using these drugs, especially valve patients, be more careful about alcohol.
QUIT SMOKING
Smoking in cardiovascular diseases. Smoking is one of the most important risk factors. Since it directly affects the respiratory system, it causes serious undesirable events after surgery and negatively affects wound healing. We definitely want them not to smoke. Patients who smoke have more lung problems than non-smokers. The time a patient who smokes a pack of cigarettes a day stays in intensive care after surgery is 3 times more than a patient who never smokes. These people have a very high risk of developing lung infection, and the healing of chest wounds and breastbone is seriously problematic. Postoperative smoking cessation in patients who had heart surgery while smoking
Read: 0
