Heart surgery: How to prepare with confidence
Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of illness and death worldwide. In Sri Lanka too, thousands of patients undergo cardiac surgery each year for blocked arteries, damaged heart valves, and other heart conditions. If you or a loved one is awaiting heart surgery, understanding what to expect can reduce anxiety and help you prepare safely.
Getting ready for surgery
Preparing for heart surgery begins even before you come to hospital. Improving your fitness can significantly improve your recovery.
- Stop smoking – Even stopping for six weeks before surgery improves oxygen levels in your blood and reduces lung infections after surgery.
- Reduce alcohol intake – Excess alcohol can weaken heart function. Limiting alcohol improves surgical outcomes.
- Maintain good nutrition – Eating a balanced diet supports heart and lung health and aids recovery.
- Exercise regularly – A simple daily walk and regular breathing exercises can improve heart and lung strength.
Your doctors will usually complete most pre-operative tests during your clinic visits so that everything is ready before admission.
Meeting your anaesthetist
Your surgical care is delivered by a team. While the surgeon performs the operation, the anaesthetist is the specialist doctor responsible for your comfort and safety.
Before surgery, your anaesthetist will review your medical history, discuss your heart condition and other illnesses, check your medications, ask about previous anaesthesia experiences, and examine your heart, lungs, airway and teeth. This careful assessment allows the team to plan your care individually.
On the day of surgery
You will be given clear instructions about fasting. This is very important for safety during anaesthesia.
During heart surgery, you will receive general anaesthesia, meaning you will be completely unconscious and pain free. Modern anaesthesia is extremely safe. Your heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels, and heart function will be continuously monitored using advanced equipment.
After the operation
After surgery, you will be transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). You may remain sedated for a few hours while your body recovers. A breathing tube will help you breathe until you are fully awake and stable.
It is normal to have drips for fluids and medications, chest tubes to drain fluids, and monitoring wires to support heart rhythm. These are temporary and part of routine cardiac recovery.
Pain control
Good pain control is a priority. Strong pain relief medications are given through drips, and in many hospitals, a Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA) pump allows patients to press a button to safely receive pain relief when needed. Safety systems prevent overdose.
You should always inform nurses if you feel uncomfortable. Pain can be managed effectively when communicated early.
Understanding the risks
Heart surgery is a major procedure, but for most patients, the risk of not having surgery is much greater than the risk of undergoing it. Modern anaesthesia has made surgery safer than ever before.
Common temporary side effects may include nausea, sore throat, or chills. Serious complications are rare, and your medical team continuously monitors to prevent and manage them promptly.
A message to patients
If you are awaiting cardiac surgery, remember that preparation, communication, and trust in your medical team are key.
Follow medical advice, stop smoking, take medications as directed, and ask questions if you are unsure.
Heart surgery may feel frightening, but it is often life-saving and life-improving. With proper preparation and modern anaesthetic care, the vast majority of patients recover safely and return to active lives.
(The writer is a Consultant in Cardiothoracic Anaesthesia & Intensive Care at the National Hospital Kandy)
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