Driving
Do not drive a car or scooter for about 4-6 weeks after surgery. During recovery, your reaction time will be slowed due to weakness, fatigue, or medicines. If you unfortunately meet an accident, even while wearing a seat belt, you could hit the steering wheel and re-injure your sternum.
Household chores
Wait until after 4 to 6 weeks to begin household duties (child care, making meals, etc). During the first two weeks at home, as you get stronger, you may feel like:
- Setting and clearing the table
- Dusting furniture
- Potting plants
- Shopping!
Anything that is very tiring or causes discomfort should be stopped until after recovery. Do not lift more than 2-4 kg at a time for 4 to 6 weeks after surgery.
Smoking
For some of you, surgery forced you to stop smoking. It is very important that you continue not smoking. It may be hard not to smoke again, but you can do it. Stopping smoking is one of the best things you can do for your heart and your health. Smoking has a bad effect on the heart, as well as on other parts of the body. It is a major risk factor for additional heart disease after your surgery. If you smoke, quit, and if you don't, please don't start.
Support Stockings
You may be asked to wear support stockings or crepe bandage during the first part of your recovery when you are less active. These stockings/ bandage aid blood flow and help reduce swelling in the legs. Keep wearing the stockings/crepe bandage for 4-6 weeks or till your activity is back to normal and swelling of the legs has disappeared.
If you have a problem with leg swelling:
- Raise your legs when sitting or lying down so that your toes are above the level of your heart
- Don't stand for long periods of time
Alcohol
Drink only if you have no addiction problem. You may drink alcoholic beverages, in moderation only, NEVER exceeding two drinks per day (60ml of 42% proof whisky or 200-300ml of Red wine). Too much alcohol can weaken the heart muscles.
Medications
You should take only those medicines, which have been prescribed in the discharge summary. Don't keep taking medicines that you took before the operation unless they are specifically prescribed. Before you leave the hospital, make sure you know which medication you have to take and what each tablet is for. This is most important. If you are to take anticoagulants (blood thinning tablets), you must understand how often follow-up blood tests are to be done.
Anticoagulants (blood thinning tablets)
Some people get blood clots inside an artery, a vein, or the heart. This may be a problem in people with irregular heartbeats, previous blood clots, or heart valves that have been replaced. To lower the chance of having blood clots, an anticoagulant (such as Acitrom) is prescribed. Anticoagulants (often called "blood thinners") prolong the time it normally takes for blood to clot. If you are taking a blood thinner, keep an appointment for a regular blood test (Prothrombin time/INR). The PT/INR tells your doctor how long it takes your blood to clot. This time is used to decide the right dose of blood thinner for you. While you are in the hospital, your blood will most likely be checked daily. When you first go home, PT /INR should be done twice a week for 1" week, then once a week for the next two weeks. Later, this may be needed only once a month. The level of anticoagulation for you will be mentioned in your discharge summary.