Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsLocationWhat to WearFood and DrinkMedicationsWhat to BringPre-Op Lifestyle ChangesNext in Open Heart Surgery GuideOpen Heart Surgery: What to Expect on the Day of Surgery
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Location
What to Wear
Food and Drink
Medications
What to Bring
Pre-Op Lifestyle Changes
Next in Open Heart Surgery Guide
Open-heart surgeryinvolves opening the chest with a large incision to expose the heart. It is a longstanding and widely-used surgical treatment for a variety of cardiovascular conditions including heart failure,coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, aneurysms, congenital heart conditions, and arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms).
This article explains what to expect if you need open heart surgery and how to prepare for the procedure.
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Acardiothoracicsurgeon(specializing in the heart and lungs) performs open-heart surgeries. Surgeons usegeneral anesthesia, which means you are fully asleep during the procedure.
Open heart surgeries happen in a specialized operating room in a hospital. After surgery, you recover in acardiac care unit(CCU), an intensive care unit (ICU) devoted explicitly to cardiac care.
In addition, the operating room has a range of specialized equipment to assist with the procedure and keep you stable during treatment. Typically, this includes:
RecapCardiothoracic surgeons perform open-heart surgery in a hospital operating room. You receive general anesthesia for this major surgery, which means you will be asleep for the procedure. People usually spend some time recovering in the ICU after open-heart surgery.
Recap
Cardiothoracic surgeons perform open-heart surgery in a hospital operating room. You receive general anesthesia for this major surgery, which means you will be asleep for the procedure. People usually spend some time recovering in the ICU after open-heart surgery.
Since you’ll be under general anesthesia, you’ll need to change into the hospital’s dressing gown once you arrive.
Open heart surgery is an inpatient procedure, which means you will stay at the hospital afterward. Therefore, you will also want to bring pajamas or loungewear and a change of clothes for going home. It’s generally a good idea to opt for comfortable, loose-fitting garments.
Like with other surgeries, you’ll need to modify what you eat and drink before open-heart surgery. Your surgical team will instruct you when to stop eating and drinking—often at some point the night before.
They will also explain what you can and cannot eat before surgery. That means not having any snacks or water after the cutoff time. It’s essential to follow these instructions precisely so that food and drink do not interfere with anesthesia.
Why You Can’t Eat or Drink Before Surgery
Some drugs can interfere with those used during surgery. Therefore, your surgical team will review your medication list before the surgery.
Tell your team about all medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications, recreational drugs, supplements, and herbs.
If you take medications or herbal and dietary supplements thataffect blood clotting, such asblood thinners, and some herbs and supplements, your healthcare provider may instruct you to stop taking them before to reduce the risk of bleeding during or after surgery.
Before surgery, your surgical team may administer antibiotics to reduce the likelihood of infection.In addition, if you are feeling anxious, talk to theanesthesiologist(pain medication specialist). They can give you something to help you relax until you receive general anesthesia to put you to sleep.
Common Medications Used Before, During, and After Surgery
On the day of your surgery, you’ll want to bring the necessary documentation, medication, and things to keep you comfortable throughout your stay.
Some things topack for your hospital stayinclude:
Typically, people stay in the hospital for about three to seven days after being transferred from the ICU to a regular hospital room. So, as you consider what to pack, think about things that bring you comfort, help you pass the time, and allow you to connect with people during your stay.
To help promote positive outcomes after open-heart surgery, your healthcare provider will also advise you about healthy choices you can make leading up to surgery. The following steps can help make any operation safer and recovery smoother.
In addition, if you become ill before surgery, your procedure may need to be rescheduled. So take extra precautions to avoid exposure to illness. If you get sick during the run-up to your surgery, let your healthcare provider know as soon as possible.
Summary
Open heart surgery is an umbrella term for various heart surgeries that involve opening your chest to access the heart and correct problems. A cardiothoracic surgeon performs open-heart surgeries under general anesthesia in a hospital operating room.
The procedure is inpatient, which means you will stay overnight. You’ll spend the first nights of recovery in the ICU, then move to a regular room.
A Word From Verywell
It’s normal to feel anxious about open-heart surgery. However, being prepared with what to expect helps many people feel more at ease.
Talk to your surgeon about your concerns and questions. They can help you understand what to do before surgery to make the experience safe and comfortable. In addition, letting them know about your anxiety can ensure that you receive adequate pre-surgery medication to help you relax.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Heart surgery.Porcel JM.Chest tube drainage of the pleural space: a concise review for pulmonologists.Tuberc Respir Dis (Seoul). 2018;81(2):106-115. doi:10.4046/trd.2017.0107Wahr JA, Prager RL, Abernathy JH 3rd, et al.Patient safety in the cardiac operating room: human factors and teamwork: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association.Circulation. 2013;128(10):1139-1169. doi:10.1161/CIR.0b013e3182a38efaAmerican Heart Association.How can I prepare for heart surgery?Bardia A, Treggiari MM, Michel G, et al.Adherence to guidelines for the administration of intraoperative antibiotics in a nationwide US sample.JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(12):e2137296. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.37296American Society of Anesthesiologists.Preparing for surgery: checklist.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Heart surgery.Porcel JM.Chest tube drainage of the pleural space: a concise review for pulmonologists.Tuberc Respir Dis (Seoul). 2018;81(2):106-115. doi:10.4046/trd.2017.0107Wahr JA, Prager RL, Abernathy JH 3rd, et al.Patient safety in the cardiac operating room: human factors and teamwork: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association.Circulation. 2013;128(10):1139-1169. doi:10.1161/CIR.0b013e3182a38efaAmerican Heart Association.How can I prepare for heart surgery?Bardia A, Treggiari MM, Michel G, et al.Adherence to guidelines for the administration of intraoperative antibiotics in a nationwide US sample.JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(12):e2137296. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.37296American Society of Anesthesiologists.Preparing for surgery: checklist.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Heart surgery.Porcel JM.Chest tube drainage of the pleural space: a concise review for pulmonologists.Tuberc Respir Dis (Seoul). 2018;81(2):106-115. doi:10.4046/trd.2017.0107Wahr JA, Prager RL, Abernathy JH 3rd, et al.Patient safety in the cardiac operating room: human factors and teamwork: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association.Circulation. 2013;128(10):1139-1169. doi:10.1161/CIR.0b013e3182a38efaAmerican Heart Association.How can I prepare for heart surgery?Bardia A, Treggiari MM, Michel G, et al.Adherence to guidelines for the administration of intraoperative antibiotics in a nationwide US sample.JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(12):e2137296. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.37296American Society of Anesthesiologists.Preparing for surgery: checklist.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Heart surgery.
Porcel JM.Chest tube drainage of the pleural space: a concise review for pulmonologists.Tuberc Respir Dis (Seoul). 2018;81(2):106-115. doi:10.4046/trd.2017.0107
Wahr JA, Prager RL, Abernathy JH 3rd, et al.Patient safety in the cardiac operating room: human factors and teamwork: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association.Circulation. 2013;128(10):1139-1169. doi:10.1161/CIR.0b013e3182a38efa
American Heart Association.How can I prepare for heart surgery?
Bardia A, Treggiari MM, Michel G, et al.Adherence to guidelines for the administration of intraoperative antibiotics in a nationwide US sample.JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(12):e2137296. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.37296
American Society of Anesthesiologists.Preparing for surgery: checklist.
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