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Heart Surgery: Medication Guidelines
Heart Surgery: Medication GuidelinesAfter having heart surgery, you probably have been prescribed several different medications. Some you mayhave taken before your heart surgery, while others will be new to you. Following some medication guidelinescan make it easier for you to take all of your medications as directed in order to continue a healthy recovery.Common medications prescribed following heart surgery include: pain relievers, which you will only take for ashort time until you feel more comfortable; Anticoagulant medications such as Warfarin; antibiotics to preventinfections; and other medications that can help lower your heart disease risk factors, like Blood pressure orCholesterol medications. Some of these medications you will only need to take for a short time while othersyou will take for several months or the rest of your life.At your hospital discharge meeting make sure you understand all of the medications you are prescribed, howthey work and when to take them. Talk to your Cardiac care team about any medications you took before yourheart surgery, including vitamins and supplements, and make sure that all your medications can work together.If not, some of your prescriptions may need to be changed.Take all of your medications exactly as directed by your healthcare provider. Even if you are feeling good oneday, continue to take your pain medications as prescribed. You need to stay active in order to meet yourrecovery goals. Eventually your pain medication prescription can be changed to an over-the-counter painreliever. Take all your medications at the same time each day as directed.To help you remember when to take your medications, develop a system to help you keep track of them.Some people find a pill organizer helpful. It separates your medications by days of the week and times duringthe day. Some people use a checklist or calendar and cross off each medication as it’s taken. And others postlittle reminders around the house, so they don’t forget.If you do miss a dose and it is within 6 hours of your normal time, take it right away. If it is more than 6 hoursafter your normal time, wait until your next scheduled dose. Do not double dose to catch up. Return to takingyour medications at your regular time the next day. If you do miss a day, contact your Cardiac care team,especially if you are taking an Anticoagulant.Store your medications at room temperature and out of direct sunlight. Do not take any new medications,herbs, vitamins, nutrition supplements, or over the counter medications without first talking to your Cardiaccare team. Some medications -- even over-the-counter medications you take for a cold or upset stomach -- canhave a bad reaction with your prescription medications.If you are taking an anticoagulant medication such as Warfarin, be careful about eating leafy green vegetables.They contain Vitamin K. Eating vegetables that contain Vitamin K is ok, but you just need to be careful aboutthe amount you eat. Vitamin K can affect how well your anticoagulant medication is working. Talk to yourcardiac team about how much and what kinds of these foods are safe for you to eat.Also, get all of your prescriptions filled at one pharmacy. That way the pharmacist will have a complete list ofyour medications on file and can alert you to any possible drug interactions. Keep an updated list of all themedications you are taking. Always carry it with you when you leave the house and take it to all of yourhealthcare appointments.This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.HCHA10185B EN HeartSurgeryMedicationGuidelines.docx© The Wellness NetworkPage 1 of 2Heart Surgery: Medication GuidelinesIt may seem a little overwhelming at first but knowing when and how to take your medications is an importantpart of your heart surgery recovery. If you have questions about your medications, do not hesitate to ask yourcardiac care team.This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.HCHA10185B EN HeartSurgeryMedicationGuidelines.docx© The Wellness NetworkPage 2 of 2
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