Never Do These After Heart Bypass Surgery, For Safe Recovery!
Doctors conduct heart bypass surgery to improve the blood flow of a patient's heart. Therefore, when a patient experiences a severe heart attack, doctors often recommend immediate surgery. There is no age limit for this procedure, and delaying the surgery is not advisable to prevent serious complications.
The whole surgery process might take seven days from the time of admission till discharge, depending on the patient's health condition. When the patient is in hospital, the staff takes utmost care by monitoring every aspect of their health. But what about the care that needs to be taken at home after discharge? So here we guide you through the healthy and simple tips that need to be followed by every cardiac patient after the surgery to have a speedy recovery.
Restrictions after heart bypass surgery during the healing process
In general, a complete recovery takes approximately 12 weeks, and after undergoing bypass surgery, every patient needs proper care for at least 6 to 8 weeks, and this can happen only with family support. So, every member of the family should be aware of the post-surgery care. The following are some suggestions that the patient and their family members should be aware of:
What not to do?
- Avoid the heavy liftings
- Avoid stairs
- Avoid alcohol
- Avoid smoking
- Avoid stress
- Avoid watching suspense/ horror movies
- Avoid eating processed food
- Avoid too much intake of salt and sugar
- Do not exercise
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- Clean the wound area with warm water and protect it from the sun exposure
- Keep an eye on the pulse and blood pressure as a daily routine
- Do the breathing exercises suggested by the medical staff at the hospital.
- Take a complete course of medication as suggested by the doctor.
- Have sufficient sleep of at least 8 hours
- Follow the diet plan as recommended by the dietician
- Mandate regular health checkup with the doctor
- Walk short distances
- Stay in a friendly environment
- Do the simple exercises indicated by the physiotherapists
What can you eat after bypass heart surgery?
It is obvious that patients who have undergone a heart bypass surgery may experience loss of appetite, but they still need to eat at regular intervals. After the surgery, you need to consume healthy & required food that helps in the wound healing process and also for a speedy recovery. A combination of diet with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fibre is important to maintain heart health after the bypass surgery. Here are some foods that you can consume during the heart bypass surgery healing process.
- Green leafy vegetables, a good source of fibre and vitamin C
- Berries are rich in Vitamin C
- Salmon fish has Protein, Vitamin - B, Iron, selenium, Zinc and omega-3 fatty acid
- Healthy Fats such as Avocado, nuts, seeds, olive oil rich in Vitamin E
- Poultry is high in Amino acids, glutamine and arginine
- Eggs provide protein, vitamins E & K, Folic acid, Zinc selenium
Coming to the diet, it is always better to follow the recommendations given by the dietician or your doctor at the time of discharge. They suggest a proper diet based on your health condition.
What is the common problem after bypass surgery?
Even though bypass surgery is safer now, you may still experience a few symptoms that can be diagnosed immediately to prevent further complications; it is not sure that every patient may have the common symptoms, and here are a few signs that indicate a problem in the heart after the surgery.
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Tiredness
- Loss of appetite
- Shortness of breath
- Irregular heartbeat
If you don't pay attention to these symptoms, you are at high risk of getting a heart attack, chest infections, reduced Kidney function, etc. So always remember to keep an eye on the symptoms and inform your doctor of all the issues that you face during the recovery process.
How many days rest after open heart surgery?
Generally speaking, you will be in hospital for 5 to 7 days, based on the health condition, where you will be on complete bed rest; on 3rd day of surgery, you will be allowed to walk a few steps, and after discharge, you are suggested to walk for a short distance along with the required physical exercises to keep you healthy and fit. The doctor may suggest you to take complete rest from any work for atleast 3-4 weeks, and in some cases, it may extend.
Care At home after the Heart bypass surgery plays a major role in the recovery process, always listen to your doctor's recommendations, complete the course of medication and follow simple health tips to keep your heart healthy.
Secure your health with a second opinion. Make informed decisions and book your appointment today!
Book an AppointmentFrequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can live an everyday life after the recovery, but you still need to have regular health checkups to monitor your health condition and avoid further complications.As per research studies, 95% of the people are healthy after the recovery without any complications.
Yes, you may suffer dehydration during the initial days after the surgery. You need to keep your body hydrated by having a lot of water; you can drink fresh fruit juices to avoid dehydration.
Generally, doctors prescribe medication that helps in the prevention of blood clots to reduce blood pressure, cholesterol, and stress.
There is no such age limit for heart bypass surgery; the doctor will advise you based on your condition. However, people above the age group of 75 years may be prone to the complications after the surgery.
Individuals with serious health issues such as diabetes, COPD, kidney disease, lung disease, and other conditions are at high risk.