How to Know Which Medications Are Safe to Take Before Open-Heart Surgery

Open-heart surgery is usually performed to fix congenital heart defects, to replace a defective valve, or to bypass blood supply around the blocked heart arteries. It's a major operation. You need to exercise extra caution when it comes to taking medication before the surgery. This vigilance would help you to avoid any complications during and after the surgery. Follow these steps to know which medications are safe to take before open-heart surgery.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Go online and type keywords "medications before open-heart surgery" or "safe medicines open-heart surgery" in search engines. Read the pages the search provides. Search for information about medicines that are safe to take before the surgery.
2. Go to your local library and pick up medical reference manuals, encyclopedias, medical journals and periodicals, latest health magazines and so on. Read information related to open-heart surgery and see if you can find out which medications are safe to take before open heart surgery.
3. Speak with your family physician about your existing medical condition as well as your decision to undergo open-heart surgery. Since the family doctor will be aware of your medical history, he will be able to guide you appropriately.
4. Speak with the heart surgeon who would be performing the open-heart surgery and discuss your medical history with him. Ask him or her whether you need to avoid any specific medication before the surgery.
5. Inform the surgeon beforehand if you're allergic to specific drugs.