Mental Health
Management
Heart Surgery: Creating a Daily Routine
Heart Surgery: Creating a Daily RoutineAs you recover from heart surgery, you may be adding a lot of new activities to your daily routine and it can getoverwhelming. Setting up a basic daily routine can help you keep track of everything. The following is anexample of a basic routine that a patient recovering from heart surgery may follow. Keep in mind that noteveryone’s routine is the same and your routine will depend on your discharge instructions and specificdirections from your cardiac care team.Start off each morning by weighing yourself. To get an accurate idea of any weight change, weigh yourself firstthing in the morning before eating, and always weigh yourself with the same amount of clothing on. If younotice a weight gain of 2 to 5 pounds over 2 to 3 days this can be a sign of fluid build-up. Call your healthcareteam as soon as you can. Record your weight each day in a log book so you can keep track of your weight andany changes.Next, take your temperature. You should take your temperature before you eat or drink anything. If you have atemperature of 101 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, contact your cardiac care team. Again, record yourtemperature in your log book for reference. Eat a healthy breakfast even if you don’t feel very hungry. Yourbody needs fuel to heal. Take your morning medications as directed.Next, shower. Remember, no tub baths until your cardiac care team says they are ok. You may need someoneto help you into and out of the shower for the first few days. You can also put a chair in the shower if you haveroom, so that you can rest if you need to. After your shower, check your incisions. Contact your cardiac careteam for any significant changes in your incision, including redness, drainage, or separation of the edges.Continue your deep breathing exercises, doing them as often as your discharge plan indicates. Now you areready for a little exercise. Do the exercises indicated in your discharge plan. These can include kneeextensions, hip flexion, and shoulder rolls. After exercising, rest by reading a magazine or watching television,or any activity that lets you sit still and catch your breath. Remember to elevate your legs when you rest. Try tokeep them above the level of your heart. You can use a pillow underneath your legs to help elevate them.Don’t begin another activity until you feel rested. You need to take things one at a time and not overdo it. If youoverdo it, one day you may spend the next day in bed recuperating and slow your recovery. After lunch, reador play a game. Don’t overexert yourself. It’s also a good time to see visitors, but make sure they don’t havecolds or infections.If you feel like taking a walk, go ahead. At dinner, try foods recommended by your healthcare team. Don’t addsalt and be sure to select low sodium foods. In the evening do a relaxing activity that you enjoy.Before bed, take your temperature once again and write it in your log book. Get a good night’s sleep so youare well rested and ready for the next day. There is a lot to do each day as you recover from heart surgery.Don’t let your day overwhelm you. Make a list of the things you need to do and develop a routine that includesactivity, rest and things you enjoy. Ask your friends and family members to do some activities with you toincrease the fun. After a few days you will get used to your new routine and recovering from heart surgerywon’t be as overwhelming.This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.HCHA10183B EN HeartSurgeryCreatingADailyRoutine.pdf© The Wellness NetworkPage 1 of 1
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