Heart Surgery: When to Call Your Healthcare Team
Heart Surgery: When to Call Your Healthcare TeamAs you recover from heart surgery you may notice changes in the way you feel and wonder if you should callyour healthcare team. This can make you anxious and fearful of every little change your body is going through.“About a week after I had the procedure, I no- noticed that I had a accelerated heart rate of about 130beats per minute. I called-- my wife called the cardiologist who said, “You’re probably-- it’s a good ideato go to the emergency room.”“It’s really important that you call your doctor and have that conversation with him or her.”Never be afraid to call your healthcare team, go to the hospital or call 911. They are always there to help.Contact your healthcare provider if you notice: Weight gain of 2-5 pounds over 2-3 days, or have a temperatureover 101 degrees Fahrenheit, and call 911 your emergency response number if you experience pain,tenderness, burning or warmth in your chest which may spread to your jaw, neck or arms, breathing difficulties,or a return of your pre-surgery symptoms.If you have been prescribed an Anticoagulant medication like Warfarin, follow any specific dietary guidelinesand take extra care not to hurt yourself. If you cut yourself, put pressure on the area until the bleeding stops. Ifit doesn’t stop, call your healthcare provider.Recovering from heart surgery can be emotionally and physically challenging. But knowing what to be aware ofand when to call your Cardiac care team or 911 can help you feel more relaxed and ready to focus on the taskat hand – healing.This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.HCHA10186B EN HeartSurgeryWhenToCallYourHealthcareTeam.pdf© The Wellness NetworkPage 1 of 1
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