Heart Surgery

Coronary artery bypass surgery creates a path for blood to flow around a blockage and helps prevent a heart attack.

On the day of your bypass or valve surgery, a patient educator or a nurse may talk with you and your loved ones. You may be told what to expect.

See what you can expect during your hospital recovery.

Learn strategies for rating and describing your pain level to members of your cardiac team, so they can treat it.

Understand how deep and controlled breathing exercises can help strengthen your lungs after surgery.

Learn how gradually increasing your level of activity can help your recovery.

Understand the range of emotions commonly experienced after heart surgery.

Learn the common instructions included in your discharge plan.

How long you stay in the hospital after open-heart surgery depends on what type of surgery you had and your needs. It may be as short as 3 to 4 days. If you have complications, you may stay in the hospital several weeks or longer.

After surgery, you'll be moved to a recovery area where you can be closely watched. From there, you may go to a special care unit or a regular room. The hospital stay after minimally invasive heart surgery varies, but is often 5 to 7 days.

Watch this video to learn about the common medications you may take after heart surgery, and strategies for taking them as prescribed.

Watch this video to recognize the warning signs and symptoms after heart surgery that require a call to your doctor or emergency services.

Learn how you and your loved ones can cope with the emotions commonly experienced after heart surgery.

Learn what heart-healthy lifestyle changes you should make to help reduce health problems in the future.

In this video, Kirk undergoes bypass surgery after learning he has widespread blockages in his coronary arteries.