Pre and Post
Operative Consultation
Pre and Post Operative Consultation
Whether assessing your heart before surgery or monitoring your recovery after, a consultation with your cardiologist ensures continuity of care. Our cardiologists review your medical history and test results to assess risks, monitor recovery, and support the best possible outcome.
This consultation is essential for assessing potential risks beforehand, as well as monitoring how your heart is responding after surgery and identifying any potential complications such as arrhythmias, blood pressure changes, or fluid retention.
During the appointment, our cardiologist will assess your current condition, review your progress, and make any necessary adjustments to your medications or treatment plan. This ensures your heart is monitored for a safe recovery and helps reduce the risk of long-term cardiac issues. Additionally, the consultation offers you an opportunity to ask questions about your procedure or recovery, or discuss any necessary lifestyle changes.
Preparing for your visit
- When booking your appointment, please ensure you have a referral letter from your GP or specialist if you would like to claim Medicare reimbursement.
GP Referrals: Valid for 12 months. You’ll need a new referral for review appointments after this period.
Specialist Referrals: Valid for 3 months. After that, a new referral from your GP is usually required. - A list of current medications, including dosages, as well as any known allergies.
- Any relevant medical records, including past test results, medications, or reports from previous cardiac evaluations.
- For pre-operative consultations:
- Information about the surgery you’re scheduled for, including the type of procedure and the name of your surgeon.
- Any questions or concerns you may have about the process.
- For post-operative consultations:
- Discharge summaries from the hospital, including information about your surgery.
- We recommend arriving 5-10 minutes early. Please note that we strive to see patients within 20 minutes of their scheduled time, but delays can occasionally occur due to emergencies or extended consultations. If your doctor has requested an urgent review, please inform our reception staff so we can prioritise your care.
- A nurse or medical assistant may measure your blood pressure, heart rate, and possibly take an electrocardiogram (ECG) to record your heart’s electrical activity.
- For post-operative consultations:
- Bring a list of any symptoms or concerns you’ve experienced since the surgery.
- Health Evaluation: The cardiologist will ask questions about your overall health, your current medications, review your surgical procedure, hospital discharge notes, and any test results.
- Physical Examination: You may undergo a physical exam, where the cardiologist listens to your heart and lungs and checks for signs of fluid retention or other issues.
- Diagnostic Testing: Depending on your condition, additional diagnostic tests such as an ECG, echocardiogram, or blood tests may be recommended.
- Pre-operative Risk Assessment: Based on your health history, the cardiologist will provide a risk assessment that outlines any potential complications related to your heart during the surgery and offer recommendations to minimise those risks.
- We encourage you to use this time to clarify any questions or concerns about recovery or lifestyle changes.
- For pre-operative consultations:
- Clearance or Recommendations: The cardiologist will either provide clearance for surgery or suggest additional steps, such as medication adjustments or further tests, to better manage any potential cardiac risks.
- Coordination with the Surgical Team: Your cardiologist will communicate the results of your consultation and any recommendations to your surgeon or the hospital team.
- For post-operative consultations:
- Your cardiologist may provide a detailed report on your recovery progress, which can be shared with your surgical team or GP.
- Follow-Up Care: In some cases, the cardiologist may recommend follow-up appointments to monitor your heart health leading up to the surgery. You will also receive instructions on any pre-operative preparations, such as medication changes or lifestyle adjustments.
