para>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.View Original
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.
View Original
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.
- Your healthcare team will help you and your family learn how to take care of yourself, and the VAD. You will learn about what drugs to take and when to follow up with the doctor. Be sure you understand what to do in case of an emergency. It is good if another adult in your household learns these things as well.
- Your healthcare team will help you adjust to going home. You may be allowed to go home for a few hours during the day and return to the hospital for the night. If these trips go well, your doctor may discharge you from the hospital.
- Take your drugs as directed by your doctor. Follow your doctors orders.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages. Keep them clean and dry. Always wash your hands before and after touching them.
- 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, driving, and sex
- Protect your chest from any pressure or hits. Always wear a seat belt when in the car.
- Always sit up straight. Do not bend over with your chest.
- Sleep in a reclined position with your back supported.
- Avoid activities that cause you to raise your arms over your head.
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.
- Your doctor may send you to a rehab center for more heart and physical care.
- 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.
What lifestyle changes are needed?
- Always wear your medical ID or bracelet when you go out of your house. The staff may give you a card that tells about your VAD. Carry this in your wallet.
- Notify airport personnel that you have a VAD before going through the security process.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Prevent infection
- Prevent blood clots
Will physical activity be limited?
Ask your doctor what activities are good for you. Supervised exercise is good for your overall health, such as walking. Start with slow walking for short distances and build up your strength. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
Talk to your doctor about the best diet for you. Your doctor may want you to limit how much salt you eat. The doctor may also want you to eat extra calories and protein to help you heal and have more energy. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Heart attack or stroke
- Blood clot formation
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Weakening of the heart
- Problems with VAD
- Injury to nearby organs or tissues
- Problems with kidneys or lungs
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
- Call your doctor right away if you have:
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, or pain.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- More swelling in the arms or legs that usual
- Cough
- Weakness that is getting worse
Helpful tips
- Join a support group to know other people who have coped with this condition.
- Talk with your doctor about your worries and fears.
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.
- I can tell you how to manage my VAD.
- I can tell you how to care for my cut site.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have signs of a heart attack or stroke, fever, or more swelling in my arms or legs.
Where can I learn more?
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute ‚
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/vad/ ‚
Last Reviewed Date
2015-05-18 ‚
List_set bdysylist
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. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2016 Wolters Kluwer Clinical Drug Information, Inc. and its affiliates and/or licensors. All rights reserved. ‚