Getting Started with Heart Surgery

Your primary care doctor or cardiologist will do a complete history and physical examination to make sure that you are healthy and cleared for surgery. "Cleared for surgery" means that it is safe for you to have surgery. This process is known as your preoperative medical clearance. You can choose to have your pre-operative examination done at our facility or with your own physician. Items that will clear you for heart surgery include:

• Blood tests, including type and screen (the type and screen blood test MUST be done at Cedars-Sinai and is used to make sure that safe and matching blood will be ready if you need a blood transfusion)
• Urine sample test 
• Chest X-ray
• Electrocardiogram (EKG) to check for heart problems
• Nasal swab to test for bacterial infection
• If a valve or aneurysm patient, a letter from your dentist stating your mouth has been examined and you have no signs of infection

An Advance Healthcare Directive is a legal form that lets you pick another person to make healthcare choices for you if there's ever a time when you can't speak for yourself. If you do not have an advance directive form, ask your doctor for one before your surgery. Learn more about healthcare directives here.  

If you are taking any of the below types of medication, ask your surgeon whether you should change or stop taking them before your surgery:

• Blood-thinning medications
• Beta blockers
• Pain medications—including prescription (the kind that needs a doctor's order) and over-the-counter (the kind you can buy in a drugstore) medications

If you do not have them already, buy:

• A thermometer
• A scale for weighing yourself
• A machine to take your blood pressure

Put a small pillow in the car. You will use it to protect your chest by putting it between your seatbelt and your chest.

Buy heart-healthy foods that are low in salt, saturated fats and sugar. Low-sugar foods are very important for you to eat if you have diabetes. You should also eat foods that have a lot of fiber, to help keep you from getting constipated.

Refrain from drinking alcohol in the lead up to your heart surgery. If you smoke, it is very important to stop at least 2 weeks before your surgery. Talk to your doctor about quitting smoking or look into the Cedars-Sinai Smoking Cessation Program.

It is important that you have someone drive you to and from the hospital for your surgery, and for any follow-up doctor visits. You will not be able to drive for 4 to 6 weeks, depending on the type of surgery you have, and will need to get your doctor's permission before you start driving again. If you live alone, it is important that a family member or friend stays with you for the first week. This person will help you with showering, making meals and taking medications. If needed, we can help you find a home care provider for the first week.

In addition, it's important to decide who your emergency contacts will be, and to share the most updated contact information and names of these people with our staff. You should also talk with your loved ones and make a list of the visitors you will want after the surgery. 

To connect with you and help you with your care before, during and after your heart surgery, we use an online tool called HealthLoop. After your surgery has been scheduled, we will send you an email asking you to activate your HealthLoop account, which you can use from any computer, smartphone or tablet. HealthLoop will ask you questions about your care and remind you about your treatment plan. Our healthcare team will then be able to follow your progress and help you stay on track to recovery. Make sure to remind your doctor's office about your HealthLoop account, if you do not get an email from us after your surgery has been scheduled.