Modern lifestyles have caused the incidence of cardiac problems to rise across the
globe. Luckily, an advance in medicine has resulted in effective treatments for
these problems. Often surgery is the best course of action. A major issue for
those who have undergone cardiac surgery is that of traveling during the recovery period, which can, is some cases, be an
extended period of time. While rest and relaxation are important, the patient will have to travel for regular
checkups. Also, with a doctor’s approval, outings and social visits may help in
the recovery process.
Traveling
Safely
·
Do not travel alone, no matter
how well you feel. A sudden attack of fatigue, dizziness or any of the common
after effects of surgery could put you in danger. Always have someone with you
who knows how to deal with these situations.
·
Do not carry anything even
slightly heavy. Ask the driver of the vehicle you are traveling to do the carrying.
·
If you are going on a long
trip, try to stop every hour and walk for a while. After surgery, the body is
inflamed and more likely to develop blood clots if it remains immobile for too
long.
·
Carry water with you. If the
body is dehydrated, the risk of developing blood clots increases.
·
Unless the doctor has advised wearing
tight fitting clothes, wear those that are loose fitting. These will not
restrict the circulation and reduce the chances of blood pooling the lower
extremities.
·
Check with the doctor if it
would be advisable for you to carry supplementary oxygen with you, especially
during the early stage of recovery. If so, travel in a vehicle where an oxygen
tank can be easily transported and where it will
be easily available if you should need it.
Overconfidence
Is Dangerous
Doctors encourage patients to be positive
about their health and the recovery process.
Needless worry and imagined problems can hamper the process. On the other hand, it is also easy to become overconfident
and start to do too much too soon. Even if you think you are well enough to hop
into a taxi when you need to go out, your body may not be ready for it, even if
there are no obvious signs of distress. Check with the doctor about when you
can start traveling and how much you can do.
Finding
the Right Way to Travel
In the early stages of recovery, when the
patient is in a wheelchair, travel by car is not advisable. Transferring from
the wheelchair to the car and then back again at the destination should be
avoided. It is much safer to use Non-Emergency Medical
Transportation (NEMT) which will provide special vehicles for those in
wheelchairs and other mobility assistance devices. The drivers of these
services are specially trained in transporting those who are unwell or
recovering from surgery and will be able to provide any special assistance that
may be required. When choosing an NEMT, it is important to check the company’s
experience, credentials, the types of vehicles available and references from
other users. A person recovering from cardiac surgery should not have to worry
about the quality of the transportation
service he is using.
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