Recovery after heart surgery

The first phase of recovery after heart surgery can last from 4 to 8 weeks. When the patient leaves the hospital, the doctor strongly recommends following the instructions for postoperative rehabilitation. In cases of their implementation, the physical and emotional state of the patient is restored faster.

The support of loved ones plays an important role. After the operation, the patient is not in a hurry, needs outside help and is emotionally unstable. Understanding and patience of loved ones will create a comfortable environment for the patient.

Seam care

It is required to monitor the condition of the seams, they must be clean and dry.

See your doctor if you have any signs of an infection, including:

• More drainage or seepage than usual
• The edges are moving apart
• Redness around the cut
• Heat
• You should also see a doctor if you feel crackling or other significant chest discomfort when moving.

Pain relief

Your doctor will likely prescribe pain medication before you leave the hospital.

Some discomfort around the incision and in your muscles—including itching, tightness, and numbness along the incision—is normal. But it shouldn't hurt as much as it did before the surgery.

Diet

Healthy food choices help the healing process.

Rehabilitation after heart surgery requires focusing on a healthy diet. This will help the body heal, reduce the risk of complications, and enable the patient to recover faster. Many studies have shown that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds can reduce the risk of heart disease.

Appetite can noticeably decrease, and food can lose its usual taste. The patient may also experience a strange metallic taste in the mouth. It is usually caused by surgery or medication. Full recovery may take 3 months. It is recommended to eat often in small portions.

A healthy diet provides the body with many nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and dietary fiber.

The diet should include:

• Meat and/or meat alternatives such as eggs, tofu, legumes, and nuts;
• Fish – 2 oily fish meals per week, such as salmon, mackerel, or sardines, will help you get plenty of healthy omega-3 fats;
• Wholemeal bread or crackers, brown rice, wholemeal pasta, quinoa, barley, rye, couscous;
• Dairy products - preferably low-fat;
• Healthy Fats – Small amounts of healthy fats and oils from nuts, seeds, avocados, and oily fish;
• Water – Avoid sugary soft drinks and alcohol.

The goal is to eat 2 fruits, 5 vegetables, and 4 or more whole grains, depending on your energy needs.

More tips to help you eat well:

• Reduce your salt intake - use as little salt as possible when cooking as this will help lower blood pressure and help prevent fluid retention;
• Avoid sugary foods - these are often eaten in place of healthy foods and can contribute to weight gain.

If your appetite does not return within a few weeks, you should inform your doctor.

Emotional condition

Usually, after heart surgery, the patient is sad or depressed, but these feelings should pass after the first few weeks.

To improve your mood:

• Walk daily;
• Devote time to hobbies and social activities;
• Talk openly about your feelings to loved ones;
• Sleep well.

Sex after surgery

In the first two weeks after heart surgery, most people are at high risk of heart problems during sex as a result of increased heart rate and blood pressure. However, this risk becomes significantly less by six weeks after surgery.

While recovering from heart surgery, you may experience intermittent chest pain, abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias), or heart failure, all of which increase your risk of heart problems during sex. People in these risk groups need additional evaluation/or treatment before trying to have sex.

The doctor will assess the patient's condition and tell you when it is safe to resume intimate relationships.

sexual problems

The patient may have reduced sexual activity and desire. Various factors may contribute, including medication side effects, depression, and fears of triggering another heart attack or death. You should not worry about reduced sexual interest, after the body is completely restored, the former sexual life will return.

Physical exercise

Because it takes 6-8 weeks for the breastbone to heal after heart surgery, you need to slowly return to your normal activities.

When to resume daily activities:

• Driving. Do not drive for 4-6 weeks unless advised by your doctor as concentration, reflex time and vision are often affected within 6 weeks.
• Sex. Sex requires about the same amount of energy as walking up two flights of stairs, as a rule, the patient is ready to return to this from about the 3rd week (loss of interest in sexual activity for a while is normal, however, the patient should return to normal life in 3 months).
• Job. The patient can return to work as soon as concentration, confidence and physical ability allow. Usually return to office work (or any other without physical and psychological stress) is possible after 3 months, to work associated with hard work - after six months.
• Housework. You should start with the things that the patient likes to do most and which are easy for him: cooking, caring for flowers, cleaning, cleaning, washing. Harder work is not recommended.

Rest and sleep

The postoperative period after heart surgery may be accompanied by sleep problems, but after 3 months, sleep patterns should return.

If the pain interferes, you will need to take medication about half an hour before bedtime. You also need to arrange a comfortable bed, perhaps listening to relaxing music before bed will help the patient.

In the evening it is recommended to eliminate caffeine, including chocolate, coffee and tea.

Call your doctor if your sleep starts to affect your mood or behavior.

Medication

Most patients require medication after surgery. Medications should be taken strictly according to the scheme prescribed by the doctor, unauthorized termination of treatment is unacceptable. If you miss a dose, do not increase the dose next time. To eliminate gaps, you can create a schedule and mark each action in it. It will not be superfluous to find out the side effects, indications for use and other features of each drug.

It is not allowed to take other medicines that are not prescribed by the doctor, without the consent of him. It is recommended that you keep a list of medicines in your wallet at all times. This will come in handy if the patient goes to a new doctor, gets hurt in an accident, or passes out outside the home.

When to See a Doctor

The good news is that complications from heart surgery are not common. If any of the following symptoms occur, you should consult a doctor, as this may signal a heart problem:

• Persistent chest pain that is not associated with stitches (angina is rare but possible)
• Arrhythmia;
• Heat;
• Chills;
• Rapid weight change (more than 2 kg in 24 hours);
• dizziness or fainting;
• Excessive fatigue or weakness;
• Severe shortness of breath or shortness of breath that gets worse;
• Nausea and vomiting;
• weight loss or change in appetite;
• Sore throat.

Aftercare is important, as people who have had heart surgery greatly increase their risk of heart complications, including recurrent chest pain, heart attack, heart failure, and an increased risk of death. The risk of these problems is significantly reduced due to the careful implementation of the doctor's recommendations. Over time, the treatment plan may change as heart health improves.