Heart Health
Ask the doctor: What does my doctor mean by "clearance for surgery"?
I had a small heart attack last year when I was undergoing an operation to remove part of my colon. I am doing fine in that regard, but now I need cataract surgery, and my ophthalmologist has sent me to my internist for "clearance" before surgery. Does this mean my risk for another heart attack is high?It is worth noting, however, that the term "clearance" is a bit misleading. No consultant can guarantee there will be no complications. The real questions are whether the chances of having a heart problem during cataract surgery might be high enough that special steps should be taken to reduce it, or that consideration should be given to cancelling the operation. In your case, the answers to those questions are almost surely "no."
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