Your doctor or nurse practitioner has decided that you need the care of a cardiologist (heart doctor). You need a test called a cardiac catheterization (dye test). This pamphlet explains what to expect when you are taken to the Halifax Infirmary (HI) to have this test done. It explains what to expect while you are waiting to be transferred, before your transfer, and when you arrive at the HI. What to expect after you are discharged is also reviewed.
An aneurysm happens when a blood vessel gets bigger than normal. When an aneurysm happens in the main artery of the abdomen, it is called an abdominal aneurysm. This pamphlet explains why an aneurysm happens, who is at risk, how it is diagnosed, why it is life-threatening, and how it is treated. The French version of this pamphlet 2079, "Anévrisme de l’aorte abdominale", is also available.
Un anévrisme est un vaisseau sanguin dans une artère qui est plus gros que la normale. Quand il se trouve dans l’artère principale de l’abdomen, on parle d’anévrisme de l’aorte abdominale. Cette brochure explique pourquoi un anévrisme se forme, qui sont les personnes à risque, ce qu’il peut entraîner et la façon dont il est diagnostiqué et traité. ; This is a French translation of the English pamphlet 0591, “Abdominal Aneurysm”. An aneurysm is a blood vessel in an artery that is bigger than nor…
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…
Your primary health care provider has decided that you need the care of a cardiologist (heart doctor), and tests or procedures offered by the Cardiology Service. This pamphlet explains what to expect when you are admitted to the Coronary Care Unit 6.4 (CCU), Cardiology Intermediate Care Unit 6.1 (IMCU), or Cardiology Inpatient Unit 6.2 at the Halifax Infirmary. It explains the differences between each of these units and introduces you to the various members of your health care team. Other infor…
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.
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…
During an endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR), your surgeon will put an endovascular stent graft in your aorta. The aorta is the largest artery in the body. This pamphlet explains what an aneurysm is and how it is treated. EVAR is an alternative to open abdominal surgery. The pamphlet outlines the advantages, disadvantages, and possible complications of EVAR compared to open surgery. What will happen before, during, and after surgery is explained. A list of symptoms that requir…
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 pamphlet explains how to prepare your skin before open heart surgery using 2% Chlorhexidine Gluconate (CHG) cloths. Information is provided about shaving, bathing, areas to be cleaned, and possible skin sensitivity. The French version of this pamphlet 1902, "Préparer votre peau avant une chirurgie à cœur ouvert", is also available.
La présente brochure vous explique comment préparer votre peau avant une opération à cœur ouvert en utilisant des lingettes imbibées de gluconate de chlorhexidine à 2 %. De l’information est fournie sur le rasage, le bain, les régions à nettoyer et la sensibilité possible de la peau. ; This pamphlet is a French translation of "Preparing Your Skin Before Open Heart Surgery" pamphlet 1574. This pamphlet explains how to prepare your skin before open heart surgery using 2% Chlorhexidine Gluconate (…
Pulmonary hypertension causes high blood pressure (hypertension) in the blood vessels that connect your heart and lungs (pulmonary arteries). PAH is pulmonary hypertension that is caused by a progressive (gets worse over time) disease. This pamphlet explains what causes PAH, why you have been referred to the PAH Program, how the PAH Program will help you, and how PAH is treated.
Your surgeon will put an endovascular stent graft into your aorta. The aorta is the biggest artery in your body. Different diseases may affect your aorta. Your aorta needs to be repaired so it does not rupture (break) and cause severe (very bad) bleeding. This can lead to death. There are 2 ways to repair your aorta: TEVAR where the surgeon places a stent graft through a small incision in your groin, or through open repair where the surgeon makes a large incision through your breastbone and pot…
Ticagrelor is a medicine used along with low dose Aspirin to reduce your risk of having a heart attack. You should not take Ticagrelor if you have or had a current bleeding problem such as bleeding from a stomach ulcer or if you have severe liver disease. Instructions for how to take and store this medicine as well as drug interactions and foods to avoid are discussed. Missed dose instructions are given. This pamphlet also describes warnings and possible side effects.