How to prepare for a carotid endarterectomy
Stop smoking (if you smoke) before having a carotid endarterectomy.
Smoking increases your risk of getting a chest infection and slows down your recovery.
Pre-admission clinic
About a week or so before your operation, you’ll be asked to attend a pre-admission clinic. This is to make sure you’re well enough for the operation to go ahead.
At this appointment, your doctor or nurse may:
- ask about your medical history and any medicines you’re taking – if you’re taking a medicine to help prevent blood clots, such as warfarin, your doctor may advise you to stop taking it temporarily
- do some tests, such as blood tests, blood pressure checks and an electrocardiogram (ECG) to record the electrical activity of your heart
You may also meet the healthcare team involved in your care so you can learn more about the operation. You can ask questions about the procedure and your recovery.
Prepare for recovering at home
It's a good idea to prepare for when you get home after the operation.
You might want to think about:
- how you’re going to get home after the operation
- who will look after you for the first day or so while you recover
- talking to your employer about returning to work (if you work)