Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Home Care Instructions for Patients

Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery
Peer Review Status: Internally Peer Reviewed

General Instructions to follow after Cardiac discharge

Restrictions

• No lifting, pushing, or pulling greater than 5 lbs. until after you return for your cardiac check-up (6-8 weeks after surgery)
• NO SMOKING!
• Wear your seat belt and shoulder harness when riding in a car.

Incision care:

• Keep incision clean and dry.
  • You may shower, do not soak in the tub.
  • Wash incision using soap and warm (Not Hot) water.
  • Rinse off soap and pat dry.

Activity:

• Follow your {insert hyperlink to champs} CHAMPS' instructions at home.
• Continue to use incentive spirometer (breathing machine).
  • Use 4 times a day, doing 10 repetitions each time.
  • Support chest with hands or pillow when coughing.
• You may have some leg swelling after surgery.
  • To help decrease this, lie down and elevate your feet above your heart 3 times a day for twenty minutes.
  • Also, elevate your leg(s) when in bed or sitting in chair.
  • DO NOT CROSS YOUR LEGS.

Medications usually given at discharge

• Aspirin 325 mg/day assuming that aspirin does not upset your stomach. If aspirin does not agree with you, a similar medication may be prescribed
• · A smoking cessation program regimen if you haven't already stopped.
• Cholesterol/Lipid lowering medications
• Diabetes medication or control therapy if needed.
• Beta Blocking medication, this medication lowers your heart rate.
• All patients will be consulted about Weight Management and/or Physical Activity.
• · There is further information and more detail about discharge recommendations for Coronary Artery Disease patients through the American Heart Associations "Get With The Guidelines" program.

Diet:

• General-no salt added
• Low cholesterol, low fat
• Diabetic diet if necessary

UI Heart Care

CHAMPS

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