Cardiovascular diseases are a group of diseases that specifically involve your heart. This is a common class of disease that is responsible for 25% of deaths in the United States. An average of 600,000 people alone in the US dies from heart-related illnesses each year.
For those who suffer from cardiovascular disease, aftercare is hugely important. Below see the different types of cardiovascular disease and look at relating care for these conditions.
What are the common types of Cardiovascular Disease?
As stated above, cardiovascular disease is widespread. Chances are that we all know of someone who has suffered from such a condition. Below are some of the common types of disease that can affect your cardiovascular system:
- Coronary Artery Diseases
- Strokes
- Heart Failure
- Cardiomyopathy
- Rheumatic Heart Disease
- Congenital Heart Disease
Cardiovascular disease care
So what care is available for those who are recovering from a heart-related condition or have just undergone heart surgery? Haym Salomon Home for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Brooklyn provides a myriad of aftercare services including subacute nursing, and restorative therapies. Categorized below, are examples of general care, and surgery-specific aftercare too:
General aftercare
Once you have been discharged from the hospital, you may still need care. We call this subacute nursing care. This care is of the utmost importance as it can greatly aid your recovery and also improve your general health. General aftercare for those with cardiovascular disease can include:
- Dietary management
- Enteral nutrition if required (feeding through a tube)
- Pain management
Nutrition and maintaining a healthy diet is of vital importance. Eating unhealthily can contribute to cardiovascular disease and raise cholesterol.
Coronary bypass surgery aftercare
Coronary bypass surgery is a major operation. Initially, you will recover in an intensive care unit. After a typical stay in the hospital of 3-5 days, you can receive subacute nursing care. Total recovery times are estimated at six weeks – this can depend on the severity of the condition, and how your body reacts to the surgery.
Care and recovery involve the following:
- Checking for signs of infection
- Ensuring the chest scar is clean and dressings are changed
- Taking medication and allowing your body to adjust to the drugs
- Potentially taking a cardiac rehabilitation program
Cardiac Stent aftercare (Coronary Angioplasty)
Although not as serious as bypass surgery, coronary angioplasty is just as important. This involves inserting a stent into a coronary artery to widen the vessels and prompt a greater blood flow.
Similar aftercare is required for a cardiac stent operation. It is important to drink fluids and to refrain from strenuous exercise. This gives your heart and body chance to adjust to the increased blood flow coursing through your vessels and arteries.
As you can see, cardiovascular disease care is an integral part of the recovery process.
Haym Salomon Home’s sub-acute unit has been specifically designed for patients with serious conditions, and those recovering from surgery. The unit is composed of a team of infinitely skilled and professional specialists. Due to this fact, you can have the peace of mind, that your loved ones are in good hands. If they are in need of cardiovascular disease care, Haym Salomon Home’s sub-acute unit is the ideal place.