The Stress and Anxiety before Surgery - Research Paper Example

?Running head STRESSORS AND ANXIETY IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING CORONARY SURGERY STRESSORS AND ANXIETY IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING CORONARY ARTERY SURGERY NAME UNIVERSITY Introduction Nowadays most people around the world face cardiovascular problems and hence have to undergo bypass surgery. A person undergoing any surgery faces stress and anxiety and coronary artery bypass surgery being a major surgery increase the risk. Even though, coronary bypass surgery is a commonly performed surgical procedure, it is known to be a stressful event for patients. The anxiety associated with the surgery exists in the post period of the surgery as well. Although many patients projected low level of anxiety and stress before surgery many have experienced borderline or clinically significant levels of anxiety before surgery. It is noticed that people has more stress and anxiety before surgery have poor outcomes than people having lower level of stress and anxiety. The patients undergoing heart surgeries are exposed to high risk and this could be the reason for the anxiety and stress in them. Normally anxiety increase in patient before cardiac surgery but return to normal level after six month of the surgery. Patients with high anxiety and stress before the surgery is exposed to mortality risk during surgery. It is seen that anxiety level is acute in patients about to undergo cardiac surgery and people with extreme stress are advised to give clinical support .The anxiety is normally high in patient who has death in their family due to heart failure. Stress may occur because of increased stress and anxiety related to the forthcoming surgery. Anxiety and stress usually increase with the admission in hospital and impending surgery. The stress and anxiety before surgery People are stressed and anxious before surgery thinking about the complication during the surgery and recovery failure. According to (Scott,2009)“Having surgery can bring a lot of stress. Aside from worrying about potential complications, even minor surgery (if there is such a thing) involves risk and requires recovery time”. Mostly, people who are anxious before surgery also have tension about other things like fear of death, financial problems and so on. People are worried about chances of death and tend to get extremely stressed. People are advised breath taking exercises to relax the body and this can reduce the body’s response to stress. Breath taking exercise can stop the physiological response of the body due to stress and reverse the procedure. The stressful experience occurs in the mind and what we think stressful can trigger anxiety and stress in people on thinking about it. Studies have shown that people who are stressed in everyday life are more prone to stress before surgery. The pain during surgery and post surgery can lead to major stress among patients. Patients and their family are usually given educational support and assistance before the surgical event. Stress of the patients can be reduced if they are given complete information about the surgery in simple words.Moslty, the surgeons and nurses does not get adequate time to spend with the patients in order to pacify or console them before surgery. In real, surgeons should listen to the queries of the patients and guide them in proper manner to reduce their stress and anxiety. It is found that women are more stressed than men before cardiac surgery. As per (Desborough,2000,pg.109-117) “The stress response to surgery is characterized by increased secretion of pituitary hormones and activation of the sympathetic nervous system”Mostly people who have stress before surgery also might be facing problems in their daily life too. Having a health problem itself is a stressful issue and on above that open heart surgery can increase the risk factor. Patients are stressful before the CABG procedure as they are uncertain about the outcome of the heart surgery. Pain is the main cause of stres in patient and this can be overcome by the appliance of appropriate pain management program. Patients are usually anxious because of the condition of their angina, and for this the best solution is to educate them about their health condition. Some people are also stresses due to the poor condition of the health service of the hospitals. But for this the solution is to get admitted in a renowned hospital where there are best health experts to take care of the patient’s needs. Nurses need to change their view on anxiety as a clinical problem, human being by instinct tend to get anxious in fearful situation. Anxiety need to be handled professionally as it is a strong emotion. The research conducted on patients revealed that people were more stressed in the period just before the surgery .There were anxious about dying, taking anti – depressant medicines, sleeping in strange bed and so on. Handling stress and anxiety before surgery The anxiety of the patient can be reduced if they are allowed to feel at home by giving them chance to use things of their own at the hospital. Even thought anxiety was low in people undergoing CABG, the intervention was needed in them as they depicted clinical level of anxiety. Anxiety assessment is crucial before heart surgery as people of different nature respond in different ways. In the website (Silver,2011)it is mentioned that “Furthermore, patients with more anxiety after the surgery have worse long-term psychological outcomes”. Different people have different strategies to face anxiety and stress. Some people prefer to hold conversation with people and discuss their worries and concerns while other practice breathing exercises exercises and other relaxation methods. Some people approach it in a spiritual manner as they connect with God to make things easier for them. People with much anxiety and stress can be giving anti – anxiety medications before they go to sleep.. It is important for the patient to have a sitting with doctors and nurses to understand the pain management and relaxation techniques before surgery. In his journal (Gallagher,2011.pg. 248-257)writes that, “ The heart goes through severe trauma and stress during an operation, the recovery from heart surgery is a long difficult journey”. It is necessary for the patients to make their mind clear and distract themselves from the worry related issues. It is also suggestive to the family members and friends to distract the mind of the patient from the surgery. Moreover, the patient should be given access to social workers and spiritual counselors. Different stressors in patient before cardiac surgery a) Waiting for Surgery : This was found to be the most crucial period in creating anxiety and stress in patients. If patients are given pain management techniques and relaxation methods then anxiety and stress can be avoided to an extent. b) Having Surgery : Undergoing surgery itself is a fearsome thought for the patients. So the doctors and nurses should explain the surgery procedure briefly to the patients . c) Pain and Discomfort : Being in pain is a very uncomfortable thing and patients are scared of pain. So proper pain relieving medication has to be given to patients. d) Away from Home or Work : When people undergo surgery they need to stay away from work and home for longer period and this can make them feel stressed. For this proper support from family, friends and employer is needed. e) Dying from Illness or Surgery : There is nothing more fearful than death and when people undergo heart surgery they are terrified of dying during the surgery or after it out their disease .So then need to be educated well about their disease and medical procedure f) Resuming Normal Lifestyle : Patients undergoing heart surgery are often afraid of coming back to normal life. To assure them health counseling and social support is needed. g) Progress in Recovery : Recovery factor is always an issue concerned with heart patients. Doctors need to assure them health and recovery in order to make them think positive. Conclusion In cases like cardiovascular problems, surgery is an inevitable medical procedure. Most of the people are anxious and stresses in case of heart surgery as it is a vital organ of body. So it is the duty of the doctors and nurses to analyze well in advance the psychological condition of the patient. The hospital authorities should give special support to women and children who are more prone to stress and anxiety. Patients should be made comfortable with the hospital to make them feel at home. Some people have problems staying at hospital and in this case, they should be allowed bring their personal things form home to make them feel better. The pain management system in the hospitals should also be planned well enough to handle the stressed patients. Studies reveal that women are more vulnerable to anxiety and stress before undergoing coronary artery surgery. It is believed that home responsibilities of women are the stress causing factor and in this case they should be assisted at home by family members. According to (Heisler,2011)“A stress test, electrocardiogram (EKG) and blood tests are usually done in advance of the surgery”. The major concern of people before surgery is the chances of dying. So educating the patients clearly about the surgical procedure is highly essential to relieve the patient from misconceptions and misunderstanding. Patients can also take part in group session where people discuss about artery surgery and its process. Brochures and booklets can be distributed to patients to make things more clearly to them related to surgery References Desborough, J. P. (2000). The stress response to trauma and surgery. British Journal of Anesthesia, 85(1), 109-117 Gallagher, R. (2007). American Journal of Critical Care. Stressors and Anxiety in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery, 16(3), 248-257. Heisler, J. (2011, March). Open Heart Bypass Surgery. In About. Retrieved September 20, 2011, from http://surgery.about.com/od/proceduresaz/a/CABGSurgery.htm Rai, A. (2010). Stress Management (p. 178). New Jersey, NJ: Diamond Pocket Books Scott, E. (2009). Surgery Stress Relief Techniques. In About. Retrieved September 20, 2011, from http://stress.about.com/od/stresshealth/a/surgery_stress.htm Silver, K. (2011). Health And Safety Issues. In Kai sliver. Retrieved September 20, 2011, from http://www.health.food-recipe-cooking.com/health-safety-all.htm . Read More