What should I be aware of when I have a new heart?

  Successful heart valve replacement surgery is not the end of treatment, but the beginning of the postoperative cardiac function maintenance process. The purpose of home care after discharge is to rehabilitate the patient and acquire the knowledge and ability of self-care, which mainly includes living and living, emotional adjustment, dietary adjustment, functional exercise, reasonable use of medication and observation of medication effect. Focus on the following points: 1, taking anticoagulants: 48-72 hours after surgery, the patient’s thoracic or mediastinal drains without bloody exudate, the drainage tube can be removed, at this time should follow the doctor’s instructions to take oral Warfarin on time, the dose depends on the international standard ratio (INR) decision, we now generally control at about 2.0. After each dose, record it in the health care booklet for the doctor’s reference during the review.  2. Accompany the patient to a regular hospital to review the International Standard Ratio (INR) to reduce errors. If the dosage of Warfarin is changed, after 7 days, the INR needs to be rechecked until it is close to the desired index. The first 6 months after surgery should be reviewed once in 1-2 weeks, after 6 months it will be changed to once in 2-3 months, and after 1 year it can be reviewed once in 3-6 months.  3.Take the medication regularly, routinely take oral anticoagulant once a day, and each dose should be taken within 2 hours after the time prescribed by the doctor.  4, if the INR is significantly higher or lower than normal values need to adjust the drug, and how to reduce or avoid interference with the anticoagulant effect should listen to the doctor’s opinion to act.  5.Patients should maintain a regular life at home, happy, relaxed, warm and cold; prevent colds, avoid exertion, prevent injuries, infections and infectious diseases.  6, the diet should be coarse and fine meat and vegetables, do not concentrate on eating too many vegetables or high-fat food, so as not to affect the anticoagulation effect or increase the burden on the heart. Those who take potassium-depleting diuretics should eat more potassium-containing foods, such as seafood, beans, mushrooms and fruits, and do not eat too salty food.  7, appropriate activities, indoor and outdoor activities should be measured and gradual, in order not to cause panic and shortness of breath. 3-6 months after surgery, bleeding or embolism is likely to occur, so should be mainly recuperation, do not participate in physical labor. 6 months later, depending on the heart function, gradually return to normal work.  8. Marriage and childbirth: Marriage is possible, but women of childbearing age should use contraception for 2-3 years after surgery. Use anticoagulant drugs during pregnancy under the guidance of doctors.