If you've been told that you're a candidate for heart surgery, you've probably got a lot of questions. You're undoubtedly wondering about life following surgery and how you'll manage your recovery. Keeping in mind that everyone's recovery is different, there are some common questions individuals have about the aftercare.
In this blog, we will address some frequently asked issues about heart surgery aftercare. To create this helpful guide, we had a discussion with Dr. Sujay Shad, a top heart surgery specialist in Delhi. Let us dig right into the information gathered about heart surgery aftercare.
How Long Will It Take to Recover?
The type of surgery you have and your overall health will influence your recovery time. While your surgeon will offer you the most accurate estimate of your recovery time, there are some broad recommendations.
- Open-heart procedures often necessitate a four to five-day hospital stay. After you've been released from the hospital, it normally takes six to eight weeks for your breastbone and chest muscles to heal as you gradually return to your normal daily routine.
- Less invasive procedures, such as stent installation or ablation, in which aberrant cardiac rhythm tissue is scarred or eliminated, usually only necessitate an overnight hospital stay. Recovery at home for these treatments can take up to a month. Keep in mind that any unforeseen difficulties will lengthen your healing time.
How Will I Look After Myself at Home?
Your medical team and heart surgeon will give you special guidelines for self-care at home. You should have a caretaker assist you with your first aftercare over the first week or two. This person could be a family member, a friend, or a home health assistant.
At-home heart surgery aftercare will involve the following:
- Taking care of your incision and keeping an eye out for signs of infection. When washing your incision, use warm, not hot, water and pat the area dry.
- Resuming normal physical activity gradually and increasing heart and lung function with light workouts such as walking and chair-based strength training. Yoga is another great workout.
- Taking your medications exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
- Keep an eye on your weight and note any changes.
After Surgery, How Will My Heart Condition Be Monitored?
Your doctors and nurses will closely monitor you during and after your surgery, and they will give you instructions to help you recuperate. Some of these guidelines will assist you and your doctor in monitoring your heart condition.
- Every Day, Note Your Pulse: Your pulse rate tells you if your heart rate is within a healthy range. Consult your doctor to determine what constitutes a healthy range for you. In general, if your pulse rate is higher than 110 beats per minute or less than 60 beats per minute, you should contact your doctor.
- Every Day, Weigh Yourself: Keep track of your weight and bring it with you to your follow-up appointments. A sudden rise in weight is sometimes an indication of fluid retention, which could signal that your heart isn't working properly or that you might have a kidney problem. Notify your doctor if you gain more than 2 pounds in one day or 4 pounds in one week.
- Take your Medications Exactly as Directed: Continue to take your heart, diabetes (if you have diabetes), and high blood pressure drugs, as well as any other prescription medications, once you return home. If you believe you should discontinue a medicine, consult with your doctor first.
- Maintain your Follow-up Appointments: Medical appointments after surgery are essential for monitoring your heart status. Make these appointments and bring any results or questions you may have for your doctor with you.
- Recognize and Respond to Warning Signs and Symptoms: If you have chest pain that isn't from your incision, nausea or vomiting, shortness of breath, a terrible headache that won't go away, or discomfort in your jaws, teeth, arms, or ears, call your heart surgeon right away.
What Can I Do to Bring Myself Back to My Daily Routine?
You'll probably be eager to get back to your normal routine following heart surgery, but you must give your body time to heal correctly. Overdoing it may impede your recuperation.
- Follow the Advice of Your Surgeon & Medical Team: This is especially important when it comes to resuming activities like lifting heavy objects and driving.
- Listen to Your Body: If you tire easily or experience pressure or pain while participating in an activity, stop. Overexertion increases the likelihood of injury or consequences.
- Help Your Body Repair Properly by Doing the Following: Eating a heart-healthy diet, staying active, lowering stress, getting enough sleep, and not smoking are all key lifestyle changes that will assist you in recovering and returning to your normal schedule.
Conclusion
Getting heart surgery is huge and challenging. Even though the surgery is being performed on your heart, your complete body will be put through a lot. You'll need some rest and recovery time to regain your strength. You'll heal faster and feel better sooner if you take your recovery one day at a time. To get proper assistance you should always discuss what the recovery will look like with your surgeon. To do so you should consult a skilled surgeon.
You can consult a top heart surgeon Dr. Sujay Shad at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. The expert surgeon has over three decades of overall experience. He is known for performing varied complex heart surgeries like coronary bypass, heart valve surgery, aortic surgery, heart transplants, and open heart surgery in Delhi, and many more. To get personalized care, book an appointment with the skilled heart surgeon, Dr. Sujay Shad now!
