Find expert answers to your health questions

Dr. Daniel O'Hair, MD

Bio

Dr. O'Hair serves as director of the Surgical Robotics & Interventional Cardiac Surgery Program at Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center. Through his leadership in robotic-assisted surgery, Aurora St. Luke's has become the 7th largest robotic heart center in the world. Dr. O'Hair also is trained in the leading-edge non-invasive technology of CyberKnife.

Activity

  • Estaze Yankey
    Estaze Yankey is now following Daniel O'Hair, MD
  • Daniel O'Hair, MD
    Daniel O'Hair, MD of Aurora Health Care answered:
    How is an atrial septal defect (ASD) treated?

    Atrial septal defect (ASD) is a hole in the atrium of the heart, and patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a hole between the two atria. These defects are common structural heart disease conditions.

    Not all holes need to be repaired. A clear indication is when a person with a hole in the heart has had

    ...  Full Post
  • Daniel O'Hair, MD
    Daniel O'Hair, MD of Aurora Health Care answered:
    What activities should I avoid when recovering from surgery?

    Avoid these heavy activities that require effort for eight weeks after surgery unless your doctor OKs them:

    1. Household tasks

    • scrubbing floors on hands and knees
    • mopping the floor
    • vacuuming
    • moving or pushing furniture
    • changing bed sheets

    2. Yard work and home repairs

    • cutting the grass
    ...  Full Post
  • Daniel O'Hair, MD
    Daniel O'Hair, MD of Aurora Health Care answered:
    What activities can I do when recovering from surgery?

    Your activity is restricted while you recover from surgery. The following are light to moderate activities allowed after discharge:

    1. Personal care

    • washing hands, face and hair, brushing teeth
    • showering
    • dressing

    2. Household tasks

    • light meal preparation
    • grocery shopping and putting groceries
    ...  Full Post
  • Daniel O'Hair, MD
    Daniel O'Hair, MD of Aurora Health Care answered:
    What are the benefits of phase II outpatient cardiac rehabilitation?
    Proven benefits of participating in phase II outpatient cardiac rehabilitation to help you recover from a heart attack, angioplasty, heart surgery, or other heart-related problem include:
    • improveds life expectancy by as much as 20 -to 25%
    • increaseds ability to exercise and participate in activities
    ...  Full Post
  • Daniel O'Hair, MD
    Daniel O'Hair, MD of Aurora Health Care answered:
    What activities should I avoid after heart surgery?

    Avoid these heavy activities that require effort after heart surgery until the follow-up visit with your doctor:

    1. Household tasks

    • stair climbing at a faster pace carrying objects
    • scrubbing floor on hands and knees
    • vacuuming
    • moving or pushing furniture

    2. Recreational activities

    • golf, tennis,
    ...  Full Post
  • Daniel O'Hair, MD
    Daniel O'Hair, MD of Aurora Health Care answered:
    What activities can I do after heart surgery?

    Light to moderate activities allowed after discharge from heart surgery include:

    1. Personal care

    • Washing hands, face, and hair; brushing teeth; and dressing
    • Warm bath or shower -- take shorter ones at first to expend less energy. A shower may be better at first, as it takes energy to lower
    ...  Full Post
  • Daniel O'Hair, MD
    Daniel O'Hair, MD of Aurora Health Care answered:
    How should I do upper body exercises after thoracic surgery?

    After thoracic surgery, upper-body exercises will help keep the muscles on the side where your incision is flexible. They also will help to prevent the loss of shoulder motion. Do these exercises slowly while sitting on a chair, three times a day. Do not hold your breath during these exercises.

    ...  Full Post
  • Daniel O'Hair, MD
    Daniel O'Hair, MD of Aurora Health Care answered:
    How should I do breathing exercises after thoracic surgery?
    Breathing exercises are important to help expand your lungs after thoracic surgery. Inhale slowly through your nose, thenand then slowly blow out as much air as you can through your mouth.

    1. Place your hands on your lower rib cage and feel your lower ribs expand as you inhale and then sink as you...  Full Post
  • Daniel O'Hair, MD
    Daniel O'Hair, MD of Aurora Health Care answered:
    How active should I be after thoracic surgery?
    After thoracic surgery, stay active. Walk frequently. You will become fatigued easily at first but will regain strength by sticking with it and increasing activity over time. Your goal is 30 minutes of aerobic activity daily -- walking, stationary bike, or other similar activity.

    Initially, you...  Full Post
  • Daniel O'Hair, MD
    Daniel O'Hair, MD of Aurora Health Care answered:
    When should I call my doctor after thoracic surgery?
    Call your doctor right away if you have any of these signs of infection after thoracic surgery:
    • redness or swelling around the incision
    • increased pain not relieved by pain medication
    • abnormal drainage (pus, yellow/green, may have odor) from your incisions
    • temperature higher greater than 101.5
    ...  Full Post
  • Daniel O'Hair, MD
    Daniel O'Hair, MD of Aurora Health Care answered:
    How is a congenital heart defect treated?
    Depending on the type of congenital heart defect you have and your other medical problems, your doctor will recommend different treatment options. Some options include:
    • Open heart surgery to repair the defect
    • Medical management with mMedication and watching for symptoms of a fluid shunt or heart
    ...  Full Post
  • Daniel O'Hair, MD
    Daniel O'Hair, MD of Aurora Health Care answered:
    How can I know my overall cardiovascular health?
    I like to recommend three simple and popular tests that can be done by an individual at home to get an estimate of their overall cardiovascular health.

    First, the 1.5-mile walk/run. Record your best time to complete a 1.5-mile run. If it takes you more than 12 minutes, your cardiovascular shape...  Full Post