After your hospital stay, you will be followed up by various healthcare providers, including your own cardiologist and general practitioner. For certain surgeries, follow-up care will also be provided by a cardiac surgeon.
Follow-up with the Cardiologist
Further follow-up after your heart surgery will be managed by your treating cardiologist. They will see you regularly to monitor your heart function. Upon discharge, an initial postoperative check-up will be scheduled with your cardiologist approximately 6 to 8 weeks after your surgery. If you haven’t been under follow-up care yet, we will work with you to arrange the necessary appointment.
Follow-up with the Cardiac Surgery Department
Certain surgeries (e.g., aortic surgery, LVAD implantation, intravenous antibiotics at home for endocarditis treatment) or postoperative complications (e.g., wound issues) require ongoing follow-up with a cardiac surgeon. If necessary, you will receive the required follow-up appointments upon discharge from the hospital.
Visit to Your General Practitioner
It is important to inform your general practitioner about your surgery and schedule a consultation with them within a week after discharge from the hospital. If any issues arise after the surgery, your general practitioner will be your first point of contact to assess their severity and implement appropriate care. In case of doubt or alarm symptoms, you (or your general practitioner) can contact your cardiologist or our department.
When to Call Your (GP) Doctor?
Once you’re at home, some symptoms may arise where it’s advisable to seek help. Do not hesitate to contact your general practitioner if you experience:
– Persistent fever (for 2 days with temperatures > 38.5°C)
– Wound problems
– Irregular or rapid heartbeat
– Increased shortness of breath
– Dizziness
– Unusual weight gain (more than half a kilogram per day)
– Onset or increase of (wound) pain