Problems related to the ticker do not always require surgery. Sometimes lifestyle changes, medications, or nonsurgical procedures are enough to address these problems. However, surgery is often required to address problems such as heart failure (HF), plaque accumulation that partially or totally blocks blood flow in a coronary artery, faulty heart valves, abnormal heart rhythms, etc.
Heart surgery is a major
surgery that may require a few weeks to several months (more complex surgeries)
for a person to recover. The relentless spread of coronavirus around the globe
has changed nearly every aspect of daily life, even including how patients
recover from heart surgery. People with heart disease must be extra attentive now
as they have a greater risk of developing COVID-19. It is important for heart
patients to take additional, reasonable precautions in order to cut down their
risk.
Individuals recovering from heart surgery must follow the instructions given to you by your surgical team. Taking a few extra precautions will increase the likelihood for you to recover safely and return to good health amid the pandemic:
Avoid Exposure- After a major
surgery, the body is less able to fight off infection, including COVID-19. The
key to preventing infection is to avoid exposure to the virus in the first
place, which you can ensure (as you recover) by staying at home as much as
possible, washing
your hands often, either with soap and water for 20 seconds or a hand sanitizer
that contains at least 60 percent alcohol, using a face mask to cover your
mouth and nose when you are around others, and cleaning and disinfecting
objects and surfaces you touch often.
Limit your Caregivers to One or Two People- You must be aware of by now that coronavirus is spread mainly from
person-to-person through tiny droplets in the air when people cough, sneeze or
even talk, which makes it wise on your part to limit your caregivers to one or
two people following a heart surgery. It is best for your caregiver to be
someone you’re already in frequent contact with, such as a spouse or adult
child, who must follow the guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as much
as possible.
Know the Trouble Signs- Watch out
for symptoms of COVID-19 and post-surgical complications, so that you can seek
medical help right away. If you are showing signs such as irregular heartbeat,
chest pain like you experienced before surgery, chills or fever, extreme
fatigue, sudden, severe headache, difficulty breathing or a sharp pain when
taking a deep breath, weight gain of more than one or two pounds in a matter of
a day, persistent bleeding or oozing from an incision, and new onset of nausea,
vomiting or diarrhea, make sure to consult with your physician without a delay.
Pain Management- Recovery
from a heart surgery these days is often safer, faster, and less painful than
it was in the earlier times due to many of today’s surgeries being minimally
invasive. Still, you are bound to experience some amount of pain during
recovery. An effective way to manage your pain is by filling all prescriptions
your doctor gives you. Either have your medication delivered to your house or
have your prescription filled by the hospital pharmacy prior to your discharge
to avoid exposure to COVID-19.
Watch for Stress- It is
normal for any major surgery, including heart surgery to bring on a
rollercoaster of emotions. Concerns about Covid-19 may just increase your
stress and anxiety further. To cope with these feelings, it’s advised that you
get plenty of sleep, eat healthy meals, take breaks from social media and news
coverage, share your feelings (concerns) with people you trust, and taking deep
breaths, stretching or meditating can take care of your body and overall
health.
Eat Right- Healthy eating is the key to
your body healing faster. As a safety measure, consider food delivery services
in view of the pandemic. Eating heart-healthy means your diet should comprise lean
meats, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Steer clear
of foods high in salt, sugar and
saturated fat. Also, drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Feel free to reach
out to your doctor for any questions or concerns during your recovery.
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