para>These are images of a side and top view of the heart. On the side view, the valves and blood vessels are labeled. On the first top view, the pulmonary and aortic valves are closed. The tricuspid and Mitral valves are open. On the second top view, the Pulmonary and aortic valves are open. The Tricuspid and mitral valves are closed.View Original
These are images of a side and top view of the heart. On the side view, the valves and blood vessels are labeled. On the first top view, the pulmonary and aortic valves are closed. The tricuspid and Mitral valves are open. On the second top view, the Pulmonary and aortic valves are open. The Tricuspid and mitral valves are closed.
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This is a series of images showing how to care for your wound. They include washing your hands, having the doctor take out your stitches or staples, not removing the small pieces of tape over the wound, taking care of your dressing, and watching for signs of infection like pus or redness around the wound.
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This is a series of images showing how to care for your wound. They include washing your hands, having the doctor take out your stitches or staples, not removing the small pieces of tape over the wound, taking care of your dressing, and watching for signs of infection like pus or redness around the wound.
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages
- When you may take a bath or shower
- If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work, going up and down steps, driving, or sex
- Be sure to wash your hands before and after touching your wound or dressing.
- Get lots of rest. Sleep when you are feeling tired. Avoid doing tiring activities.
- Use a small pillow to put pressure on your cut site. This can make you more comfortable when you cough, laugh, or do other actions.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. You may need more tests or a change in your drugs.
- If you have stitches or staples, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will often want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks.
- Your doctor will tell you if you need to see a cardiologist or rehab specialist.
What problems could happen?
- Abnormal heartbeat
- Infection
- Kidney failure
- Heart attack
- Pneumonia
- Blood clots
- Stroke
- Bleeding
When do I need to call the doctor?
Activate the emergency medical system right away if you have signs of a heart attack or stroke. Call 911 in the United States or Canada. The sooner treatment begins, the better your chances for recovery. Call for emergency help right away if you have: ‚
- Signs of heart attack:
- Chest pain
- Trouble breathing
- Fast heartbeat
- Feeling dizzy
- Signs of stroke:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
Helpful tips
- Let your dentist or doctor know you had heart valve surgery. You may need to take drugs to prevent infection before having dental procedures or other surgery.
- Some kinds of heart valves will make a very soft clicking noise each time your heart beats.
- The staff at the hospital will give you a card that tells about the kind of valve that you have. Carry the card with you in your wallet.
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my procedure and what kind of valve I have.
- I can tell you how to care for my cut site.
- I can tell you what changes I need to make with my diet or activities.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have signs of a heart attack or stroke.
Where can I learn more?
American Heart Association ‚
http://www.heart.org/idc/groups/heart-public/@wcm/@hcm/documents/downloadable/ucm_300441.pdf ‚
American Heart Association ‚
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/More/HeartValveProblemsandDisease/Options-for-Heart-Valve-Replacement_UCM_450816_Article.jsp ‚
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute ‚
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hvd/treatment.html ‚
Last Reviewed Date
2015-09-28 ‚
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Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care provider 's advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2016 Wolters Kluwer Clinical Drug Information, Inc. and its affiliates and/or licensors. All rights reserved. ‚