Activity Guidelines After Heart Attack or Open Heart Surgery

The recovery period will continue for several weeks after returning home. Initially, the patient's activities will be fairly limited, but he will gradually be able to resume most, if not all, of his daily activities. The goal for the first few weeks is for the patient to relax and not over extend himself.

How Much Activity is OK?

• Get plenty of sleep at night.
• Get up and get dressed every morning.
• Space meals and activities to allow time for rest and relaxation.
• Stop and rest when tired, regardless of the activity.
• Arm activities, which include raising the arms, tend to create more work on the heart than leg activities. Therefore, the patient should pace himself accordingly when doing the following:
  • Scrubbing pots and pans
  • Hanging laundry
  • Doing your hair
  • Making beds
  • Pulling weeds
  • Taking out trash
• Avoid the following activities which increase heart rate and blood pressure and put excess pressure on incision after surgery.
  • Lifting more than 10 lbs
  • Pushing, pulling, push-ups or weight lifting
  • Straining to open a window or jar lid
  • Excessive straining to have a bowel movement
  • Washing the car
  • Mowing lawn
  • Vacuuming
• Avoid standing up too quickly from a sitting or lying position. Sudden changes in position may cause lightheadedness. This can be normal for many people but may be exaggerated during the recovery period.
• Be cautious of working in a stooped or bent posture for long periods. This interferes with blood flow to the heart.
• Concentrate on breathing normally through any exertion or activity (exercise, bowel movement).
• Avoid extremes of temperature; which increase the workload on the heart. Avoid hot saunas, jacuzzi and extremely hot or cold showers. Avoid working and exercising in extremely hot or cold temperatures.
• Resume sexual activity:
  • Avoid intercourse for at least two hours after a regular meal or an alcoholic drink.
  • Wait until feeling rested and relaxed.
  • Keep the room temperature comfortable.

What About Exercise Guidelines?

• Do not exercise for at least one hour after a heavy meal.
• Do not exercise during the most severe stages of a cold or other illness and never exercise with a fever.
• Walk at a comfortable, rhythmic pace. Avoid bursts of speed. Warm up and cool down for 5 minutes at a slower pace.
• Monitor pulse before, during, and after exercise, and when attempting activities which may be physically or emotionally stressful.
• If resting pulse is 20-30 beats per minute above normal, fatigue or illness may be the cause. Rest or decrease activity for the day.

When Should the Doctor be Called?

If any of the following signs or symptoms are present and persist, call the doctor.

• Anginal-type pain (chest, arm, neck, jaw, back) like that experienced prior to the patient's cardiac event.
• Shortness of breath that is new or increasing
• Excessive or increasing fatigue
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Unusual palpitations, (irregular heart beats)
• Weight gain 1 - 2 per day.