How to recover from a coronary artery bypass graft
After a coronary artery bypass graft:
- you'll have a wound in your chest from the surgery, and wounds where blood vessels were removed from other parts of your body
- you may have some pain in your chest, back or shoulders
- you'll usually feel tired for the first few weeks
- you may have less appetite than usual for the first few days
It usually takes 2 to 3 months to fully recover. You should be able to get back to most of your normal activities after about 6 weeks.
Recovering in hospital
Most people spend about a week in hospital. You'll usually be moved from intensive care to a ward after 1 or 2 days.
You'll have some pain or discomfort. You'll be given pain relief to help with this.
You'll have help from nurses and physiotherapists to start getting out of bed and moving around from the day after the operation.
You can go home once the doctors are happy you can safely get around and are recovering well.
Recovering at home
You'll have follow-up appointments to check how you're recovering. You may also be given an exercise programme and support to help you recover (cardiac rehabilitation).
Your care team will give you advice about things to do to help your recovery.
Do
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try to arrange for someone to help look after you for the first few days after you go home
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follow your care team's advice about caring for your wounds while they heal
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take painkillers if you need them
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start being active, such as going for walks, as soon as you feel well enough
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follow your care team's advice about exercise to help you build up your fitness
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eat a healthy, balanced diet to help keep your heart healthy
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keep taking any medicines you're prescribed, including your medicines for coronary heart disease – follow your care team's advice about any changes to your medicines
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if you have a bus, coach or lorry licence, tell DVLA that you've had a coronary artery bypass graft
Don’t
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do not do any heavy lifting for 3 months
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do not drive for at least 4 weeks (or 3 months if you have a bus, coach or lorry licence)
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do not smoke – get help to quit smoking
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do not drink more than the recommended amount of alcohol