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When can I resume my usual activities after cardiac surgery? 
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Please Note: This is a guide only 

REMEMBER TO LISTEN TO YOUR BODY!  

SLOW DOWN if you experience PAIN IN YOUR CHEST, DIZZINESS, SHORTNESS of BREATH, and/or IRREGULAR HEARTBEATS during, or after, activities.

WEEKS 1-2 after surgery

 

  • Light tasks only – Water garden; dusting; dishes (avoid pushing, pulling and twisting)

  • NO DRIVING or WORK for four to six weeks (as per doctor)

  • Stairs slowly (with rests)

  • Sex – Cuddles​

  • Walking – five to ten minutes, one to two times a day (stroll on flat ground)

  • Lifting - only two to four kilograms (no groceries, children, etc.)

  • Gentle exercise bike (don’t lean on your arms)

WEEK 3 after surgery

 

  • Simple cooking, light gardening – watering, light weeding (avoid pushing, pulling and twisting)

  • NO DRIVING or WORK for four to six weeks (as per doctor)

  • Stairs slowly (with rests)

  • Sex – Cuddles

  • Walking – ten to fifteen minutes, one to two times a day (comfortable pace on flat ground)

  • Lifting – only two to four kilograms

  • Longer Outings (movies, restaurants)

WEEK 4 after surgery

 

  • Hanging light laundry

  • Stairs - as able

  • Sex – Cuddles

  • Walking – fifteen to twenty minutes, one to two times a day

  • Lifting – only two to four kilograms

WEEK 5 after surgery

 

  • Making bed, sweeping, shopping

  • Sex – Resume sexual activity if you are able to walk twenty to thirty minutes without symptoms

  • Walking – twenty to thirty minutes, one to two times daily (striding out, start hills slowly)

WEEKS 6-7 after surgery

 

  • Vacuuming with rest (don’t move furniture)

  • Driving – short trips (fifteen to twenty minutes)

  • Work – Check with your doctor – non-stressful desk work, maybe explore part-time

  • Walking – twenty-five to thirty minutes, one to two times daily

  • Lifting – only two to four kilograms

  • Sport - Golf (putting only), indoor bowls, fishing (wharf), easy swimming

 

A Referral has been sent to a Cardiac Rehabilitation program. They will contact you at home.

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WEEKS 7-8 after surgery

 

  • Gradually increase to moderate activities

  • Driving - short trips (twenty to thirty minutes)

  • Work - Light physical work, most people with less strenuous work can return.

  • Walking - Over thirty minutes, one to two times daily

  • Lifting - up to five kilograms

  • Sport - Fishing (boat), outdoor bowls, 9-hole golf (flat course), doubles tennis (providing breastbone is comfortable/not  clicking)

WEEKS 9-10 and beyond

 

  • Digging, mowing the lawn, vacuuming as usual

  • Driving – longer trips (more than thirty minutes)

  • Work – Moderate physical work (speak to your cardiologist)

  • Walking – more than thirty minutes, one to two times daily

  • Lifting – up to five kilograms until Week 12 then gradually increase to normal levels

  • Return to normal sporting activities after 12 weeks

 

Continue a Cardiac Rehabilitation program. Your Cardiac Rehab team will guide you.

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