About this topic
After your open heart surgery, you may have some pain and stiffness in your chest, arms, and shoulders. This is normal. Your doctor will want you to start moving as soon as you can. You may also be able to start some gentle exercises to help get back motion and strength. Eventually, your doctor may want you to go to a cardiac rehab program a few times each week. These programs work on aerobic exercises to make your heart stronger. ‚
If your breastbone has been cut, you will need to follow sternal precautions for a few weeks. These help protect your breastbone while it heals. Most of the time, sternal precautions include: ‚
- No pushing or pulling with your arms. This means that you may not use your arms to help you get up from bed or chairs. Try to hold a pillow to your chest when you get up. This will help you remember not to push or pull with your arms.
- No lifting anything over 10 pounds.
- Avoid any vigorous arm movements.
- Avoid too much reaching or twisting. If you do have to reach or twist slightly, always do these movements slowly.
You may have some slight discomfort when you exercise. You may also have some slight pulling around the cut site. ‚
General
Before starting with a program, ask your doctor if you are healthy enough to do these exercises. Your doctor may have you work with a trainer or physical therapist to make a safe exercise program to meet your needs. ‚
Strengthening Exercises ‚
Strengthening exercises keep your muscles firm and strong. Most of these exercises can be done sitting up straight in a chair. Start by repeating each exercise 3 times. Slowly, work up to doing each exercise 10 times. Try to do the exercises 2 or 3 times a day. Do all exercises slowly. ‚
- Shoulder shrugs ¢ ˆ ’ Shrug your shoulders up towards your ears. Hold 3 to 5 seconds. Relax.
- Shoulder blade squeezes ¢ ˆ ’ Pinch your shoulder blades together on your upper back and hold 3 to 5 seconds. Relax.
- Shoulder circles ¢ ˆ ’ Sit or stand with your back straight. Raise just your shoulders up towards your ears. Move them back, down, and then forward in a circle. Repeat, but now move your shoulders in a circle going forward.
- Chicken wings ¢ ˆ ’ Reach up and clasp your hands behind your head. Bring your elbows together like they are going to touch. Return to the starting position.
- Trunk twists ¢ ˆ ’ Cross your arms over your chest so your hands are on the opposite shoulders. Keeping your lower body still on the chair, turn your upper body to one side so you are looking over your shoulder. Now, turn the other way.
- Diagonal chops ¢ ˆ ’ Clasp your hands together. Bring them over one shoulder. Make a chopping motion ending at the opposite hip. Next, do the motion over the opposite shoulder chopping down to the opposite hip. You should slowly twist your trunk when doing the chopping motion.
- Arm raises ¢ ˆ ’ Cross your hands at your knees. Now, lift your arms up to make the touchdown signal. Be sure to squeeze your shoulder blades together. Hold for 3 seconds.
- Walking ¢ ˆ ’ Walking is one of the best forms of exercise after a surgery. Be sure that you feel steady enough to walk alone. If you do not feel safe, have someone walk with you. Each day, slowly increase the time and distance you are walking until you get to 30 minutes at least 5 times a week.
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What will the results be?
- Less pain and stiffness
- More range of motion and easier to use your arms
- More strength
- Easier to take deep breaths
What problems could happen?
- Sternal dehiscence or the sternum separates
- Cut site could open
- Draining from cut site
- Muscle strain
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Possible signs of a blood clot. These include more pain behind your calf, soreness or redness above or below your knee, more swelling in your calf, foot, or ankle.
- Sudden shortness of breath or a sudden onset of chest pain could be a sign that a blood clot has traveled to your lungs. Go to the ER right away.
- Pulse increases more than 20 beats per minute with mild exercise and walking
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Helpful tips
- Stay active and work out to keep your muscles strong and flexible.
- Keep a healthy weight so there is not extra stress on your joints. Eat a healthy diet to keep your muscles healthy.
- Be sure you do not hold your breath when exercising. This can raise your blood pressure. If you tend to hold your breath, try counting out loud when exercising. If any exercise bothers you, stop right away.
- Try walking or cycling at an easy pace for a few minutes to warm up your muscles. Do this again after exercising.
- Doing the exercises before each meal may be a good way to get into a routine.
- Exercise may be slightly uncomfortable, but you should not have sharp pains. If you do get sharp pains, stop what you are doing. If the sharp pains continue, call your doctor.
Where can I learn more?
UpToDate ‚
http://www.uptodate.com/contents/recovery-after-coronary-artery-bypass-graft-surgery-cabg-beyond-the-basics ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚