Tips for Quitting Smoking (Cardiovascular)
Quitting smoking is a gift to yourself, one of the best things you can do to keep your heart
disease from getting worse. Smoking reduces oxygen flow to your heart, speeds the buildup
of plaque, and increases your risk for heart attack. Quitting helps reduce smoking’s harmful
effects. You may have tried to quit before, but don’t give up. Try again. Many smokers try four
or five times before they succeed.
Line Up Help
• Ask for the support of your family and friends.
• Join a quit-smoking class.
• Ask your doctor about nicotine replacement products
and prescription medications that can help you quit.
Set a Quit Date
• Choose a date within the next 2-4 weeks.
• After picking a day, mark it in bold letters on a calendar.
Diagnosing a Brain
Aneurysm
An Arteriogram
An arteriogram shows the size, shape, and
location of an aneurysm. It can also reveal
any vasospasm. After local anesthesia, a
thin tube (catheter) is guided through the
arteries from the groin to the neck. Contrast
fluid is released. It travels to the brain. Then
x-rays are taken, showing the arteries and the
aneurysms. This test has some risks. They
will be explained before the test.
Often, the first symptom of a brain aneurysm
is a sudden, severe headache. Many patients
describe it as the worst headache of their
lives. A physical exam and a health history
help to pinpoint the problem. If a brain
aneurysm is suspected, special tests can
confirm it. Test results can also help the
healthcare team plan treatment.
Surgery for a Brain
Aneurysm
A CT Scan
A CT (computerized tomography) scan
is a fast and painless test that creates an
image of the brain. It shows whether any
blood has leaked around or into the brain. In
Surgery for an aneurysm is performed as
soon as possible. This is often within 72
hours of the diagnosis. Either open surgery
or an endovascular procedure may be best.
Treatment may not reverse any damage already
done. The goal is to prevent further bleeding.
Set Limits
• Limit where you can smoke. Pick one room or a porch, and smoke only in that place.
• Make smoking outdoors a house rule. Other smokers won’t tempt you as much.
• Hang a list of “quit benefits” in the spot where you smoke. Put one on the refrigerator and
one on your car dashboard.
Open Surgery
The surgeon reaches the brain through the
skull. First your loved one receives anesthesia
to sleep during the surgery. Then, after a
scalp incision, small holes are made in the
skull. The bone between the holes is cut
and lifted away. The dura is peeled back.
Trapped blood and CSF may be removed.
The surgeon closes off (clips) the aneurysm.
Or the artery leading to the aneurysm is
sealed off (occluded). The dura and the piece
of skull are put back in place. A device may
be left in one of the small holes. This device
measures pressure inside the skull.
Your Limit list
Start by giving up cigarettes at the times you least need them. Write down a few more ideas.
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Medications
Your doctor has prescribed you medications to reduce the risk factors of stroke. It is extremely
important to take them as directed. Your nurse can provide printed information on each of
your medications. Any side effects will be explained.
Tips:
• Have your prescriptions filled as soon as you leave the hospital.
• The pharmacist is also available for questions about medications.
• Take medications exactly as directed.
• Never change or stop taking medications unless your doctor instructs you to.
• Consult your doctor before beginning any new medications (including vitamins, supplements, or over-the-counter medications).
• Always bring a list of your medications to your doctor’s appointments and to hospital visits.
• Call your doctor if you experience side effects that do not improve.
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some cases, CT angiography may be done.
This test produces an enhanced image that
can show a brain aneurysm. For the test, a
contrast fluid is injected into a vein. This fluid
travels to the brain arteries. Then the CT scan
is done to locate bleeding or other problems.
A Spinal Tap
Clipping the Aneurysm
Cerebrospinal fluid flows in and around the
brain. It also flows around the spinal cord. A
spinal tap (lumbar puncture) can be done to
show if blood has leaked into the CSF. The
lower back is numbed with a local anesthetic
(pain medicine). Then a needle is inserted in
the lower spine. Fluid is removed through
the needle and examined to rule out other
problems, such as infection.
The surgeon may put a clip on the aneurysm
where it bulges from the artery. This keeps
blood from entering the aneurysm. As a result,
future bleeding is prevented and nearby brain
tissue is protected from further damage. The
surgeon makes sure the clip is secure before
finishing the surgery. This method, performed
through open surgery, is considered the only
true cure for a brain aneurysm.
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