After Cardiac Bypass Surgery – St Vincent’s Heart Health

How long does it take to recover after cardiac bypass surgery? What should I eat after cardiac bypass surgery? What medications will I need to take after cardiac bypass surgery? How do I reduce my risk of further heart problems after cardiac bypass surgery? How do I resume my regular activities after cardiac bypass surgery? How do I start exercising again after cardiac bypass surgery? Where can I go for ongoing support after cardiac bypass surgery?

Recovering from cardiac bypass surgery generally takes most people anywhere from 6-8 weeks to 3 months. Before you leave hospital, youll be given detailed instructions for exercise, medications, follow up appointments, ongoing wound care and resuming normal activities.

Youll also be encouraged to book into a cardiac rehabilitation program, which is a dedicated program that helps to support you, every step of the way, as you heal, recover and get back to your everyday routine.

To find out more about cardiac rehabilitation, watch this short video.

Its very common to feel different for a short while after your cardiac bypass surgery. To hear from our social worker about some of the emotional changes you may experience during your recovery, watch this short video.

After your cardiac bypass surgery, youll need to focus on eating a healthy diet. This will help your body to heal, reduce your risk of complications and enable you to recover well.Many studies have shown that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, wholegrains, nuts and seeds can reduce your risk of heart disease.

You may notice that you have a poor appetite and find that food has lost its flavour. Your sense of smell may change and you may also experience a strange metallic taste in your mouth. This can be caused by the operation or your medication and can take 3 months to fully recover. Try to eat small amounts of food often.

A healthy diet provides your body with plenty of heart-protective nutrients - like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and dietary fibre.Ideally, your diet should include:

Aim to consume 2 serves of fruit, 5 serves of vegetables and 4 or more serves of wholegrains - depending on your energy needs. Some other tips to help you eat well include:

You can hear tips from our dietitian about healthy eating after heart surgery in this short video

After cardiac bypass surgery youll need to take pain medications, as you can feel wound and muscle pain for a few weeks (if the pain persists beyond a few weeks, see your doctor).You can learn more about different types of chest painhere. Youll also be given medicines to lower your risk of complications and a further cardiac event.

Medications work best when youre being healthy in all areas of your life - for example, exercising, quitting smoking and eating a healthy diet.Everyone has individual requirements for medications, and youll be given a personalised medicine plan thats right for you.

You can learn more from our pharmacist about the medications you may need to take by watching this video below.If you have any questions about the medication youre taking, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

After your cardiac bypass surgery, its very important to take steps to reduce your risk of having another heart problem or needing more heart surgery. Some of the heart disease risk factors that you may be able to control include:

For tips on how to quit smoking, watch this short video.

You can find out more from our cardiac rehabilitation nurse about coronary heart disease risk factors - both modifiable and non-modifiable - in this short video.

The good news is that complications from your cardiac bypass surgery aren't common. You should see your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms, which may signal a problem with your heart:

Avoiding infections is something you need to be aware of, as you may be more likely to get sick after your surgery. Visit your doctor and dentist regularly, and brush your gums with a soft toothbrush.

As it takes 6-8 weeks for your breastbone to heal after cardiac bypass surgery, you need to ease back into your regular activities slowly.

Below, you can watch a video demonstrating how to look after your breastbone after cardiac surgery.

Heres a look at when its safe to resume some common activities:

To learn more from our occupational therapist about returning to your regular activities, watch this short video.

Exercising will help to speed up your recovery, and its a key component of a healthy lifestyle.Exercise increases your fitness levels, helps control blood pressure, weight and cholesterol, and keep you relaxed.Start with short and simple walks, and gradually increase length and intensity.

You can walk as much as you like as long as you feel comfortable, and daily walking - if only for a few minutes - is ideal.Heres an example of how you might ease back into some other common forms of exercise:

To learn more from our physiotherapist about exercise, watch this short video.

After you leave hospital, your cardiac rehabilitation team will be available for ongoing support as you recover. Your cardiac rehab program includes group support with other patients like you who have experienced similar surgery.You can also contact the following organisations for support and advice

Remember, you are not alone in this. Your healthcare team and support network are there for you, to help you recover as best you can - so you can go on to live a healthy, fulfilling and active life for many years to come.

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After Cardiac Bypass Surgery - St Vincent's Heart Health