Heart Surgery Recovery

Recovery time of cardiac surgery depends on several factors. A heart surgery is usually performed in order to treat serious conditions like congenital heart disease, valvular heart disease and ischemic heart disease. It can be done to repair or replace valves, widen narrowed or blocked arteries, repair aneurysms, make channels in the heart muscle, or to implant a device to control heart rhythm. Accordingly, heart surgery can be of different types.

Recovering from a Heart Surgery

Basically, heart surgery can be open heart surgery or minimally invasive heart surgery, depending on how it is performed. The recovery time for minimally invasive surgery or robot assisted heart surgery is usually shorter than the open heart surgery recovery period. The reason being, open heart surgery requires to make a much larger incision in the chest, so that the surgeon can put his or her hands inside. But minimally invasive heart surgery requires only a few small holes to be made on the chest, as the hands of the robot are much smaller. Therefore, recovery process for this surgery is of longer duration than the recovery process of minimally invasive heart surgery.

In Hospital
A patient can find a lot of discomforts and inconveniences following the heart surgery, which however, would eventually go away with time. Usually after the surgery, the patient is immediately transferred to the intensive care unit or ICU. On waking up, the patient can feel a little bit of discomfort in the chest or the throat, which is quite normal. During this period, all the breathing equipment and tubes will be in place, for which the patient may find a bit difficulty in breathing properly. But, eventually, he or she would be able to adjust or breathe through these tubes.

The breathing tubes and equipment are removed, only when the physician feels that the patient could breathe without them. If the recovery process goes well, then these artificial breathing equipment are removed after a day or two, following the surgery. Within two to three days after the surgery, the patient is shifted from ICU to general ward. In the meantime, medications are administered to relieve pain and prevent infections. Nowadays, heart patients are advised to mobilize a bit, in order to prevent complications. Usually, a physical therapist provides guidance regarding how to move the body, without causing any pain and discomfort.

After Leaving the Hospital
At the time of releasing the patient from the hospital, the physician provides a complete guidelines regarding post operative care. This includes, how to care for the incision, how to take shower, pain relief, what medications can be taken and what activities can be performed. Following these instructions strictly is of utmost importance to ensure quick recovery from the surgery, and avoid all possible complications. Usually, the first phase of the recovery last for about 6 to 8 weeks. During this period, one has to be very particular about keeping the incisions dry and clean. For cleaning the area, soap and water can be used.

Use of any type of ointments or salves on the incisions, without the permission of your physician should be strictly avoided. If the incisions have healed a bit, then quick bathing is allowed. In case of taking a shower, one needs to stand with his or her back to the shower spray, so as to not soak the sutures in the chest. As far as water temperature is concerned, one can use slightly warm water, but should avoid extremely hot or cold water. During the healing process, if you observe oozing from the incisions, or the incision look red and feel warm, then inform your health care provider immediately. This is also applicable if there is increased opening of the incision line.

To relieve the discomforts and prevent the complications associated with heart surgery, your physician would prescribe a number of medications. Itching in the chest at the incision site, as well as minor pain in the area, while moving or doing any activity is completely normal during the recovery process. However, people undergoing bypass surgery can feel a lot of pain in the leg. Simple activities like, walking slowly, can help to alleviate this type of pain. If the pain becomes intolerable, then talk to your physician regarding the use of pain medications. Apart from pain medication, your physician may give you antibiotics, blood thinning medications and beta blockers at times.

During the recovery period, i.e. from the first six to eight weeks, patients can perform simple activities like walking slowly or doing simple household chores, that do not put much strain on the body. But lifting or pushing heavy objects should be strictly avoided during this period. Climbing steps may be allowed by the physicians, provided one climbs the steps slowly. Activities that require to stand for a prolonged time period or those that demand the arms to be held above the shoulder level for a long time should be avoided during the recovery period. As far as the diet is concerned, your physician will give special diet instructions, regarding what food to eat and what to avoid.

The time at which a patient can return to work depends how the entire recovery process goes. If all goes well, then one can expect to resume daily activities within a few months. After evaluating the process of recovery, a physician or health care provider can tell you when you can return to your work. The best thing that a patient can do to speed up the recovery process is to stick to the advise and instructions given by his or her physician. At the same time, if any sign of infection appears or the patient experiences palpitations, dizziness, fever or chills, shortness of breath and severe pain in the incision site during theo recovery process, then the physician should be informed immediately.