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Recovery
Heart Surgery: Recovery Weeks 3-6
Heart Surgery: Recovery Weeks 3-6For most people, recovering from heart surgery will take about six weeks. From weeks 3 to 6 you should startto feel better and stronger, but it is important to remember that you are not fully healed. You are still recoveringfrom major surgery. Your healthcare team may still recommend you avoid some activities.You may not be able to drive yet. Don’t take a tub bath; don’t lift anything heavier than 5 to 10 pounds or asdirected, like groceries, laundry, or small children; Don’t do any activity that causes pressure on your healingbreastbone like heavy household chores, lawn work or gardening. But at this point in your recovery you mayfeel ready to increase your activity level. Walking is a good form of exercise and can be done almostanywhere. Do a little more each day for a slow and gradual recovery.You may even add certain arm exercises approved by your Cardiac care team. But remember, no activitiesthat put pressure on your chest or strain your incision sites. If you do get tired, rest. Do not overdo it. Talk toyour healthcare provider about heart healthy lifestyle changes.These include making healthy food choices, getting regular physical exercise, reducing stress and quittingsmoking. If you still smoke, you must quit. Talk to your Cardiac care team about ways to quit smoking. If youdid quit before your surgery, do not start again. You are finished smoking. Find ways to stay quit and distractyourself from craving tobacco.During recovery weeks 3 to 6, continue to take your medications as directed. At this point your incisions maynot hurt as much so your pain medications may change to over-the-counter medications. Continue to weighyourself every day and write your weight in your log book. Taking your temperature every day is still important.And continue to meet with your Cardiac care team. Take a complete list of all your medications with you toevery appointment, as well as your weight and temperature logs. Before your appointment, write down anyquestions you may have. During your appointment your cardiac care team may lift some restrictions but not allof them.As you continue to regain your strength and increase your activity levels, your cardiac care team willrecommend you start a cardiac rehabilitation program. A Cardiac Rehabilitation program will set up an exerciseprogram for you to follow in order to helps your recovery and increases your overall heart health. As well asbeing monitored during activity, Cardiac Rehabilitation can provide you with a regular support group of peoplewho have also had heart surgery.And during Cardiac Rehab you can attend classes or receive counseling to help you make your heart healthylifestyle changes. As you continue to recover from heart surgery, follow your cardiac care team’s guidelines.And as each week passes you will get stronger and be able to do more and more.This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.HCHA10187B EN HeartSurgeryRecoveryWeeks3To6.pdf© The Wellness NetworkPage 1 of 1
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In this video, Liz has a mechanical heart valve replacement to treat a heart valve condition she's had since she was a young adult.
