Patient Education Resources

Critical Care Units: Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Coronary Care Unit (CCU)

This pamphlet outlines what to expect when your loved one is admitted to the ICU or CCU at Cape Breton Regional Hospital.

DASH: Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension

High blood pressure can cause heart disease, kidney disease, and stroke. If you have high blood pressure, eating healthy, balanced meals and lowering your sodium (salt) intake can help. This pamphlet outlines Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and Pulmonary Embolism (PE)

This pamphlet will help you learn about deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) and recognize urgent symptoms. This pamphlet explains what DVTs and PEs are and whether they are dangerous, the symptoms and treatment for each, why blood clots form, and how to lower your risk of another DVT or PE.

Delirium After Cardiac Surgery

This pamphlet describes delirium after cardiac surgery, causes, symptoms, as well as treatment. This pamphlet is also available in French.

Délirium après une chirurgie cardiaque

La brochure décrit le délirium après une chirurgie cardiaque, ses causes, ses symptômes et son traitement. This pamphlet is also available in English.

Diabetic Foot Ulcer

A foot ulcer is an open sore that happens below the ankle. This pamphlet explains who is at risk for a diabetic foot ulcer, and how to know if you have diabetic neuropathy (a type of nerve damage that can happen if you have diabetes) or a diabetic foot ulcer. This pamphlet is also available in French.

Digoxin

Digoxin is a medication used to treat heart failure and some types of irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias). This pamphlet explains how to take digoxin. Symptoms that require a trip to the nearest Emergency Department are listed.

Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) - The Jordan Boyd Inherited Heart Disease Clinic

In dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), the heart muscle becomes weak. This pamphlet gives the causes of DCM, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. Further resources also given.

Dispositifs d’assistance ventriculaire (DAV)

Un DAV agit comme un ventricule du cœur en pompant le sang dans l’organisme. La présente brochure décrit les types de DAV, ce qui se passe pendant l’opération, les risques et ce à quoi s’attendre après l’opération. This pamphlet is also available in English.

Diuretics

This pamphlet explains what this medication is used for and how to take it.