This pamphlet was created by the Cardiovascular Surgery Department at Nova Scotia Health to give you and your support persons information about getting heart surgery. It has information about what you can do before your surgery to help it go well, what will happen during your hospital stay, and what you can do after your surgery to have a good recovery. Topics include discharge (leaving the hospital) planning, your surgery timeline, your health care team, information about the heart and your su…
This pamphlet will help you learn about having a cardiac catheterization (dye test) and what to expect after going home. This test shows the arteries that supply your heart muscle with oxygen, and how well your heart muscle and valves are working. This pamphlet describes how the test is done, getting ready for the test, and what will happen on the day of the test. What to expect if the test is done through your groin or wrist is explained. Information on what to expect after the test includes: …
Delirium is not the same as dementia. This pamphlet describes delirium after cardiac surgery, the causes, symptoms, and how family members can help. Recovery may take days to months. The French version of this pamphlet 2107, "Delirium après une chirurgie cardiaque", is also available.
A cardiac event recorder (loop recorder) records the electrical activity of your heart. You can use a loop recorder while you are at home and doing your usual activities. It will only record your heart activity when you press a button. A cardiac technologist will show you how to use the recorder. This pamphlet explains how to use the loop recorder, whether you can bathe or shower with the loop recorder, and what to do if you have problems with the recorder. Information on how to return the reco…
Ce document contient des informations sur la procédure de cathétérisme cardiaque (examen avec colorant) et sur ce à quoi vous devez vous attendre après votre retour chez vous. Cet examen permet de voir les artères qui alimentent votre muscle cardiaque en oxygène et de voir si votre muscle cardiaque et vos valves fonctionnent bien. Ce document décrit comment la procédure est effectuée, comment vous devez vous préparer et ce qui se passera le jour de l’examen. Vous verrez ce à quoi vous devez vou…
This pamphlet will help you learn about having a coronary intervention. Topics include: what a coronary intervention is and how it is done, what a stent is, risks, how to get ready, taking usual medications, whether you can eat or drink beforehand, what happens the day of the procedure, what to expect during recovery (complete bedrest, preventing bleeding, what you can eat, easing back pain, going to the bathroom, IV's, family visits, getting out of bed, etc.). A list of symptoms to watch for i…
During a PFO or an ASD closure, a puncture (small hole) is made in your groin so that the doctor can put a special catheter (tube) into your vein. A special closure device is put through the catheter and carefully moved to the right spot in your heart. The doctor watches this process on monitors. It then opens up and covers both sides of the hole in your heart. What to bring to the hospital, what to expect before, during and after the procedure are reviewed. Details are given about how to care…
This pamphlet explains how your heart beats, what happens if you have problems with your heartbeat, what a pacemaker is, how the procedure is done, what will happen after your procedure, and your care at home. The French version of this pamphlet 1944, "Vivre avec un stimulateur cardiaque (pacemaker)", is also available.
Ce dépliant explique comment votre cœur bat, ce qui se passe si vous avez des problèmes de rythme cardiaque, ce qu'est un stimulateur cardiaque, comment se déroule l'intervention, ce qui se passera après l'intervention et les soins nécessaires à la maison. ; This is a French translation of the English pamphlet 0019, “Living With Your Pacemaker”. This pamphlet explains how your heart beats, what happens if you have problems with your heartbeat, what a pacemaker is, how the procedure is done, wha…
This test uses sound waves (ultrasound) to take pictures of your heart. During this test, a flexible tube is passed through your mouth, down your throat, and into your esophagus (swallowing tube that connects your mouth and stomach). There is a special probe on the end of the tube. The pamphlet describes getting ready for the test, how the test is done, and care after the test.
Your coronary arteries supply blood to your heart. A DSE is done to find out if there are any blockages in these arteries and, if so, how severe they are.This test may be done when the usual tests for this problem cannot be done or have given inconclusive results. The pamphlet describes getting ready for the test, who will do the test, what happens during the test, and what to expect after.
An exercise ECG/EKG (electrocardiogram) stress test measures your heart’s reaction to activity. It is sometimes called an exercise test or a treadmill test. This pamphlet explains why and how an exercise ECG/EKG stress test is done, how to get ready for the test, how long the test takes, and when you will get the results. A list of symptoms to tell your technologist and/or doctor about is included. The French version of this pamphlet 2095, "ECG à l’effort", is also available.
La brochure décrit ce qu’est un électrocardiogramme (ECG) à l’effort et les raisons pour lesquelles il est effectué. Elle explique comment se préparer au test et la façon dont il est fait. Le test prend habituellement entre 30 et 45 minutes. La brochure traite des symptômes à communiquer au technologue ou au médecin et des résultats du test. ; This pamphlet is a French translation of "Exercise ECG Stress Test" pamphlet 0005. This pamphlet describes what an exercise ECG stress test is and why it…
After cardiac surgery, there are lots of things you can do to speed up your recovery such as: being as fit as possible before your surgery, lowering the stress of surgery on your body, and getting up and moving soon after your surgery. This pamphlet explains how to do these things. Topics include: eating well, staying active, doing your exercises, practicing post-surgery restrictions, getting ready for surgery, steps to help your recovery while in hospital, and what to expect after you leave th…
This test will help your cardiologist (heart doctor) find the cause of your heart problem and recommend treatment. This pamphlet explains how to get ready for the test, how the test is done, risks, and care after the test. The French version of this pamphlet 1913, "Cathétérisme cardiaque droit - Halifax Infirmary", is also available.
Ce test aide votre cardiologue (spécialiste du cœur) à trouver la cause de votre problème cardiaque et à vous recommander un traitement. La présente brochure explique comment vous préparer pour le test, la façon dont il est fait, les risques qui s’y rattachent et les soins après l’intervention. ; This pamphlet is a French translation of "Right Heart Catheterization Test - Halifax Infirmary" pamphlet 0392. This test will help your cardiologist (heart doctor) find the cause of your heart problem …
This one-sided, single sheet pamphlet gives a basic illustration of the coronary arteries. It is to be used as a teaching reference for staff and their patients. This pamphlet outlines the right coronary artery, aorta, pulmonary artery, left coronary artery, left main artery, circumflex branch, and left anterior descending artery.
Un échocardiogramme est un examen du cœur sans douleur et sans danger. Il indique la taille, la forme et le mouvement du cœur, ainsi que le flux sanguin qui passe par le cœur. Des ondes sonores (ultrasons) sont utilisées pour obtenir une image du cœur qui peut ensuite être vue à l’écran d’un ordinateur. Le présent livret précise comment se préparer pour l’examen, qui fait l’examen, ce qui se passe pendant et après l’examen et la durée de l’examen. ; This pamphlet is a French translation of "Ech…
Le delirium et la démence ne sont pas la même chose. La brochure décrit le delirium (état confusionnel aigu) après une chirurgie cardiaque, les causes, les symptômes et l’aide que peut apporter la famille. Le rétablissement peut prendre de quelques jours à quelques mois. ; This pamphlet is a French translation of "Delirium After Cardiac Surgery" pamphlet 1480. Delirium is not the same as dementia. This pamphlet describes delirium after cardiac surgery, the causes, symptoms, and how family membe…
An echocardiogram is a test to measure the size, shape, movement, and flow of blood through the heart. This pamphlet reviews how to get ready for the test, who will do the test, what will happen during and after the test, and how long it will take. The French version of this pamphlet 1744, "Échocardiogramme", is also available.