How to Optimize Outcomes in Cardiac Surgery

Cardiac surgery is a serious response to a life-threatening situation. Like any major surgery, the outcome can determine your longevity and have profound effects on your quality of life. While having a skilled surgeon and staff on board (and a well-equipped hospital) is key, there are things that you and your doctor can do before your operation that can optimize the outcome of your cardiac surgery.

Instructions

• 1

  Get a second opinion and research any treatment that is recommended to you. This will help guard against unnecessary surgery and ensure that the treatment you receive is the right one for you.

• 2

  Research your surgeon and the facilities he will use, as not all surgeons and hospitals are created equal. Your best option, especially if this not emergency surgery, may be a surgeon and facility that is not close to your home. Make sure that your aftercare will be of the same level of quality as your procedure by making sure that your chosen facility has solid experience with the special needs of cardiac surgery patients.

• 3

  Talk to your doctor and surgeon about beginning statins before surgery. Statins are anti-cholesterol drugs like Lipitor, Zocor and Crestor, that reduce the level of LDL, or bad cholesterol, in the blood. A 2008 University of Cologne study showed that those who used statins prior to cardiac surgery saw reduced incidences of common post-operative symptoms such as atrial fibrillation (AF).

• 4

  Explore with your doctor and surgeon the possibility of metabolic therapy using antioxidants coenzyme Q10, omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium orotate and α-lipoic acid. An Australian study examined patients who received 30 to 40 days of treatment with a mixture of these antioxidants prior to surgery, and found that they experienced reduced levels of oxidative stress and lower systolic blood pressure after surgery.

• 5

  Get some exercise. A program incorporating stretching and light exercise helps your body to recover more quickly and with less stress. The object is to keep moving, not necessarily to break a sweat.

• 6

  Practice some stress-reduction techniques. Meditation, relaxation and music are all tools you can use to achieve and maintain a healthy and positive frame of mind. Stress adds to the symptoms that trigger heart problems, so keeping as relaxed as possible helps to minimize heart problems prior to surgery.