When can I go back to my normal activities after heart surgery?

Your doctor will let you know when you can return to your normal activity level at your follow-up visit. Gradually increasing your activity over the next several weeks after heart surgery will help you to return to your previous levels of activity. Taking part in outpatient cardiac rehabilitation also will help guide you in returning to your previous level of activity.

General guidelines to follow:

• Lifting: You may lift up to 10 pounds after discharge from the hospital.
• Driving: Wait two weeks, or until your doctor permits. Patients should not drive if they are taking narcotic pain pills during the day.
• Stairs: You may take stairs. At first, take stairs slowly and avoid carrying objects up and down the stairs.
• Shoveling or snow blowing: Ask your doctor! Snow removal takes a large amount of energy.
• Going back to work: Ask your doctor. Jobs that involve more intense physical activity will require a longer period away from work.
• Sexual activity: You may resume sexual activity. A general guideline to follow is if you can walk up and down 24 steps you should have the physical stamina for sexual activity.

The sternum, or breastbone, may have been cut during surgery and will take up to 12 weeks or more to heal. You must carefully follow all instructions as prescribed by your care team. A physical therapist will give you exercises that will help alleviate stiffness due to inactivity.
 
The following precautions will ensure that the sternum is properly aligned and heals correctly:

• Do not raise both of your arms over your head at the same time.
• Do not reach behind your back with both hands at the same time.
• Do not lift more than five to ten pounds.
• Do not push, pull or lift heavy objects.
• Avoid pulling yourself out of bed by the bedrails.
• Avoid pushing yourself up from the armrests of a chair.
• Avoid closing car doors.

Use a “splinting” technique over your chest anytime you cough, sneeze or laugh. Do this by hugging a pillow gently on your chest or placing your hands over your sternum as you cough, sneeze or laugh. The splinting technique will provide support to your incision and decrease pain.