What To Expect After Heart Surgery
Recovery in the Hospital
Depending on the type of heart surgery, you may
spend 1 day or more in the hospital's intensive care unit. Then you will be
moved to another part of hospital for several days before you go home.
While you're in the hospital, doctors and nurses
will closely watch your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, vital signs, and
incision site(s). You may have an intravenous (IV) needle inserted in your arm
to give you fluids until you're ready to drink on your own.
You also may be given extra oxygen through a face
mask or nasal prongs that fit just inside your nose. These pieces of equipment
are removed when you don't need them any more.
Recovery at Home
Each person responds differently to heart surgery.
Your recovery at home also will depend on what kind of heart problem and
surgery you had. Your doctor will give you specific instructions about how
to:
- Care for your healing incisions
- Recognize signs of infection or other
complications
- Cope with after-effects of surgery
You also will get information about followup
appointments, medicines, and situations when you should call the doctor right
away.
After-effects of heart surgery are normal. They may
include:
Other after-effects may include loss of appetite,
difficulty sleeping, constipation, and mood swings and depression.
After-effects gradually go away.
Recovery time varies with type of heart surgery.
Full recovery from traditional open-heart CABG may take 6 to 12 weeks or more.
Less recovery time is needed for off-pump heart surgery and minimally invasive
heart surgery.
Your doctor will let you know when you can go back
to your daily activities, such as working, driving, and physical activity.
Ongoing Care
Care after your surgery may include periodic
checkups with your doctor. During these visits, you may have blood tests, an
EKG
(electrocardiogram), an
echocardiography,
or a
stress
test. These tests will show how your heart is working after the
surgery.
Your doctor also may talk to you about lifestyle
changes and medicines to help you stay healthy. Lifestyle changes may include
quitting smoking, making changes in your diet, getting regular physical
activity, and lowering and managing stress.
You doctor may refer you to a cardiac rehabilitation
(rehab) program. Cardiac rehab includes counseling, education, and exercise
training to help you recover. The program also will help you learn how to make
choices that can lower your risk for future heart problems. |