Sometimes you have to wait
- Sometimes there is a long waiting period for open heart surgery. It is also possible to be postponed once in hospital should an emergency occur.
Stop these medications
- Coumadin, warfarin, aspirin, entrophen, novasen, plavix and all anti-inflammatories, 5 days before surgery.
- Please check with your family doctor if you are unsure what medications to stop.
- You must take all other medications unless otherwise directed.
- Please bring your pills in their original bottles from the pharmacy with you. (they will be returned to you.)
- You will receive a call from the maritime heart center telling you when to stop your medication.
Stop smoking
- Smoking can increase heart disease.
- Smoking narrows the arteries in your heart.
- Smoking increases blood pressure and pulse rate.
- If you stop now the results of your surgery will be better.
- If you start again after surgery your bypass grafts will block.
