Home Guide for Post Open Heart Surgery Care

Heart surgery aims to correct problems with the heart. There are various types of heart surgeries performed by the doctors depending upon the complications of the patient. Both children and adults can be diagnosed and undergo heart surgery when required. Treatments are done initially, but there are many cases in which even after taking medications, there is no proper cure found. Hence, the open-heart surgery.

Heart surgery is done when; there is a need to repair or replace heart valves, which sometimes control blood flow through the heart. There are cases when the heart is about to fail, and the patient gets a heart transplant. Coronary heart disease is one of the most common heart problems for which surgery is required. Each surgery has some percentage of risk involved, and so does this. But, the results for heart surgery are often excellent, and significant recovery in the patient shows its effect. Higher chances of heart surgery come to people who are stressed as well as someone who is already diagnosed with conditions and few diseases. Diabetes, lung disease, peripheral arterial disease, kidney disease are a few of the signs when one has to undergo heart surgery. There are lots of precautions a person needs to take after he goes through heart surgery.

It may not be straightforward for you to remember all the advice given by the doctor after the surgery. For that particular time, it is a great relief, since you are going home. You also have to make sure that you take note of all the precautions properly. There are different types of surgeries practiced, and there are chances that you might go home with the wound. Nurses can conduct the dressing for some time, but you need to see that the injury has to be healed as soon as possible. Sometimes, healing takes more time as it is a wound than the internal surgery done because of the skin type of the patient.

The following are a few guidelines right here on how to take proper care at home?

• It can be a very mentally and physically exhausting journey once you reach home. Also, you might go through many mood swings over the period of healing. Staying mentally healthy is very important to heal faster.
• Once you are stable, make sure that you take care of the wound every day. Because, if the wound is infected again, you might get into complications and undergo some different treatment altogether for that as well.
• You need to shower daily and keep yourself clean once you are home and make sure that there is no water or soap left on the wound area.
• Avoid using perfumes and creams, which consist of chemicals for some days as it might bother you more because of the surgery. Your scars may feel numb and itchy, but that is perfectly okay because you are on the verge of healing.
• Avoid scratching your wound as it may also introduce you to another infection. There will be a small notch of skin at the top of your chest wound. But you need not worry as it will gradually settle inside once you are healing.
• You will be less active after your surgery is performed, so there are chances you might suffer from shortness of breath. One might feel slightly puffed on exertion, but that will be fine once you start doing small activities and tire your body. Just in case you are suffering from it for a more extended period, consult your doctor at the same time.
• Rest your legs on a stool at home after the surgery to avoid the swelling on ankles. Move your ankles regularly for some time so that the swelling does not stay for a more extended period.
• Hallucinations are very common when you undergo heart surgery. You might see and feel things that are not present in real life. Do not get anxious over it as this might stress you and not let you rest completely.
• Eyesight may be affected as well, and you might see blur vision or double vision for some time. But after a quarter, you will be healthy and back to where you were.

 Heart surgery takes a toll on the body, and only thinking about it can make a person go through mental conflicts. Anxiety, depression is a significant part of it. When you are anxious, your heartbeat might feel as if it is racing or missing beats. And it is quite common once you are home that you might run short of breaths. Doctors prescribe medications for the same, but you can also recover by doing meditation for a few minutes at home. Mental peace is essential, and if you are at peace and in a positive environment, you can heal faster.

Insomnia is yet another issue once you are at home. Try avoiding naps at noon so that you do not find difficulty in sleeping at night. Doctors give medication for a few days, but for an extended period, you need to take care of yourself and set a daily routine until you stay at home. Do not wait for too long in bed, as you might feel drowsy and sleepy anytime and could be difficult once you get back to work. Last but not least, constipation is yet another problem that can arise. Your diet should contain more fluids than solid food so that you do not go through significant hardships. Start eating fresh fruits, vegetables, cereals, and more fiber to keep your system clean and healthy. Eating a healthy diet is very important to get out all the toxicants and medicines you have taken to recover. Please do not stop taking painkillers for a few months as it might affect you later. Avoid alcohol consumption and smoking while you are in the recovery period. Taking care of yourself and adopting daily exercises and a healthy diet can heal you better and sooner.