How to Recover From a Heart Bypass

A coronary bypass, also known as a heart bypass, is done to open blocked arteries near the heart. Caring for yourself after the surgery is necessary to prevent future problems. Aftercare is an important part of your recovery. As such, all appointments with your cardiologists and other medical professionals must be kept.

Instructions

• 1

  Prepare yourself for time in the hospital. You can expect to spend around a week there. During this time, you will receive aftercare instructions on everything from exercise and dietary concerns to incision-site care and medications you will have to take. Try to have someone else with you to take notes. Make sure you understand and follow the instructions.

• 2

  Follow cardiac rehabilitation instructions. Within a few days after surgery, you will begin a cardiac rehabilitation program that will help you to recover as quickly as possible. The program will also help improve the strength of your heart.

• 3

  Pay attention to your body. For at least six weeks after surgery, you will have to limit your daily activities. If you feel tired or start to feel bad, rest. Overexerting will slow your recovery and may further damage your delicate heart muscle. But inactivity will also slow your recovery, so you should get up and move around without overdoing it.

• 4

  Eat only foods that are good for your heart. You should avoid eating foods that are high in cholesterol and/or fat, such as fried foods. These foods cause plaque to build up in the arteries. Fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meats, whole-grain carbohydrates and limited fat should be in your diet. Consult a dietitian or your cardiologist with any questions regarding diet.

• 5

  Refrain from smoking. If you are having trouble with this, talk to your doctor to develop a cessation plan.

• 6

  Keep your incision site clean. While you are at the hospital, you will receive instructions on caring for your incision. It is vital to follow these instructions to minimize the risk of infection.

• 7

  Know the signs of possible infection after the surgery. These include redness around the incision, oozing fluid from the incision, increased heart rate, pain around the wound and fever over 100.4 degrees. Any of these signs warrant emergency medical attention.