Adjusting Your Activity After Heart Surgery

Transcription

1 Adjusting Your Activity After Heart Surgery Information for patients and families Read this booklet to learn: why it s important to adjust your activity when you get home what to watch for when you do an activity what activities you can do in the first few weeks how to change the way you do everyday activities Why do I need to adjust my activity when I get home? Now that you have returned home, you will have to be less active for a while. This will give your body a chance to heal. It is important that you do not strain your sternum (chest bone). Gradually increasing your activity will help your recovery and your return to everyday living. What should I watch for when I am doing an activity? Always check how you are feeling when you do an activity. Stop if you: feel pain have an upset stomach are very tired have shortness of breath are dizzy or lightheaded feel your heart beating very fast Please visit the UHN Patient Education website for more health information: University Health Network. All rights reserved. This information is to be used for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for non-commercial personal use only. Author: Rehabilitation Service - Occupational Therapy Reviewed: 03/2017 Form: D-5071

2 Before starting any activities, ask your healthcare team what activities you should and shouldn t be doing. Everyone recovers differently. Your healthcare team can help you figure out what is right for you. Below are guides for what activities you can do and when: 1 to 4 weeks after surgery very light activities Walking at a slow pace Washing your hands and body Combing your hair while sitting or standing at the sink Showering with warm water while sitting or standing in the shower Dressing and undressing Hobbies like playing card games, needlework, playing the piano, reading Remember: Do not reach above your shoulders too often or for too long 4 to 6 weeks after surgery light activities Walking at a moderate pace Lifting items that weigh less than 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms) Preparing light meals. For example: chopping salad while sitting Washing the dishes, making the bed and doing light housekeeping such as dusting or light gardening Remember: Do not reach above your shoulders too often or for too long 2

3 You will see your cardiologist 4 weeks after your surgery for a follow-up. Talk to them about whether you are ready to move to moderate activities. 6 to 8 weeks after surgery moderate activities Walking up steep hills or walking at a quicker pace Carrying things that are 30 to 60 pounds (13 to 27 kilograms) Hanging laundry on the line to dry Cleaning at a slow pace. For example: vacuuming, washing floors, laundry Shopping for groceries and carrying bags Doing light home repairs. For example: hanging a small picture or gardening Swimming You will see your cardiac surgeon 8 weeks after your surgery. Talk to them about whether you are ready to move to heavy activities. 8 weeks after surgery heavy activities Walking up hills at a fast pace Doing heavy washing or scrubbing with your arms above your shoulders Doing heavy gardening. For example: digging, spading, raking, trimming branches overhead Playing tennis, jogging, swimming, or bicycling at a medium or fast pace Doing heavy home repairs. For example: paining a room 3

4 How can I change the way I do everyday activities? Follow these tips so you can do activities that are important to you: Kitchen Tasks Put things you use the most on a level that is easy to reach. You should not bend or reach your arms above your shoulders. Use tools like a reacher to help you. It can be used to pick up things that are on high shelves or that fall to the floor. Wipe counters lightly with a cloth. Let dishes air dry instead of drying them. Only lift kitchen items that are less than 10 pounds in the first few weeks. Hold pots or bowls with both hands and close to your body. This spreads the weight across more muscles. If you can, slide items across the counter top instead of lifting them. Follow these steps when lifting: 1. Bring your body close to the item that you want to lift. 2. Bend your knees and hold the item close to your body. 3. Lift with your legs, not with your arms and back. 4

5 Bathroom Tasks When you shower, sit on a bath chair or bath bench. You will use less energy. Do not take a tub bath until your incisions (cuts) are healed. This will take at least 4 to 6 weeks after surgery. Use a hand-held showerhead can help you reach places on your body more easily. Use grab bars in your tub or shower if you have trouble moving around. Your occupational therapist (OT) can tell you the best place to put them. Grab bars can help you be more safe and independent. If you have difficulty getting on and off the toilet, your seat might be too low. You can buy raised toilet seats to make it easier to get up. If you need to, install a wall grab bar or side rails to help you get up from the toilet. Talk to your occupational therapist if you are having any difficulty. They can give you more tips for how you can do daily activities more easily during your recovery. 5