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Are You at Risk of Cardiovascular Disease?

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Are You at Risk of Cardiovascular Disease?

The significant risk factors for cardiovascular disease include high blood pressure, tobacco use, and obesity, putting nearly half of Americans at risk. Are you or a family member at risk? Here's a look.

High blood pressure

New guidelines issued by the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association mean you could be at risk of high blood pressure. Before November 2017, the standard for high blood pressure was a reading of 140/90 or higher. The updated standard defines 130/80 as a cause for concern, making even more Americans at risk for cardiovascular disease.

Tobacco use 

Smoking is known to be a leading cause of cardiovascular disease. Nicotine use causes high blood pressure, elevated heart rates, and narrowing arteries. E-cigarette use is also considered a risk factor.

5 Tips for Faster Recovery After Heart Surgery

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5 Tips for Faster Recovery After Heart Surgery

It's important to be patient during your heart surgery recovery period, allowing yourself ample time to recover. From replenishing your blood supply to regaining your pre-surgery strength and endurance, your body has a big job ahead. Expecting too much too soon can put unnecessary strain on your body and even lengthen your heart surgery recovery period.

Guarding Your Emotional Health After Heart Surgery

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Guarding Your Emotional Health After Heart Surgery

Like many others who've gone through heart surgery, you may experience some feelings of sadness or depression. Your feelings may range from sadness and anger to guilt, loneliness, confusion, or stress. While these feelings are common, it's important to guard your emotional health after surgery.

What to Remember

Your emotional health after surgery can have an impact on your recovery. Feelings of isolation and sadness can also affect your future health.

Here are some signs that it's time to ask for a little help:

Enjoying Exercise After Heart Surgery

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Enjoying Exercise After Heart Surgery

How much and what kind of exercise you can enjoy after heart surgery depends on how you're feeling and what your doctor feels is safe for you. Everyone is different, and the exercise your physician says is okay for you after heart surgery may not be the same as recommendations you've read online or heard from a friend. Here are a few tips for making sure the activities you participate in after heart surgery are safe for you.

A More Successful Recovery After Heart Surgery

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A More Successful Recovery After Heart Surgery

After heart surgery, it's natural to wonder about your post-surgery life. How soon can you expect to feel like yourself again? When will you be able to resume your normal activities? While the answers to these and other questions vary widely between individuals, there are steps patients can take after heart surgery to shorten recovery time and get back to everyday activities.

Improving Your Odds

Here are some steps your doctor may recommend to improve your odds of successful recovery after heart surgery.

Sternum Support for Reducing Postoperative Complications

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Sternum Support for Reducing Postoperative Complications

One of the most important goals of patients and healthcare providers after surgery is avoiding postoperative complications. After heart surgery, this goal is especially critical given the nature of the operation and recovery and because up to half of patients have a high risk of complications.

Postoperative complications can be costly, so patients and surgeons alike look for any and all tools to prevent them. One device that is non-invasive and proven to be effective is sternum support harnesses such as Heart Hugger.

Here’s a look at a few of the key ways Heart Hugger reduces complications.

Reduce Readmission Rates With a Post-Op External Harnesses

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Reduce Readmission Rates With a Post-Op External Harnesses

After surgery, it's important that patients, physicians, and caregivers strive to avoid readmission. Readmission rates directly affect providers and costs, but they also create different sorts of risks for patients as well. Being readmitted to the hospital after cardiac surgery is also especially stressful for patients.

One tool available for cardiac surgery recovery is the Heart Hugger, an external support harness that provides a range of benefits and can reduce readmission rates. There are a few reasons for this, including:

Post-Op Pain Management Without Opioids

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Post-Op Pain Management Without Opioids

After surgery, pain management becomes a priority, and prescription medications like opioids are typically the first line of defense. For many, the idea of using opioids is concerning -- after all, we constantly hear all the terrible stories about the opioid crisis. While some medication is necessary in most cases, there are several other alternatives for pain management. Always talk to your doctor about your plans for pain management. Here are some of the best options to consider.

Support Harness for Pain Management After Heart Surgery

Heart Hugger is a sternal harness that lets patients heal from heart surgery. It offers wound stability and sternal support in addition to on-demand pain management during recovery at home. The Heart Hugger can help reduce complications and reliance on pain medication.

Evidence-Based Recovery Support for Respiratory Splinting

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Evidence-Based Recovery Support for Respiratory Splinting

There is an ongoing discussion about how to best address the needs of patients who are recovering from heart surgery. With new technology, new medications, and continual anecdotal support for certain techniques, it’s no surprise that in our digital age there is a demand for more options and more evidence.

One type of post-op recovery support available is the Heart Hugger, a patient-operated harness that helps with pain management in addition to wound stability and sternal support.

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