Recovery

Recovery -  it’s good to be back home, but remember to take time to recover.

Take it easy - it’s important not to strain yourself as you recover.
  • Avoid lifting heavy objects and doing strenuous exercise until your doctor says it’s safe. You can walk a short distance on level ground, but nothing more challenging than that
  • Do not go up and down the stairs more than 2 times per day—at least for the first 2 to 3 days
  • Avoid driving until your doctor says it’s safe
  • Eat heart-healthy foods, including fruits, vegetables, and low-fat options
Tend to your wound - take care of the area where the catheter was inserted.
  • Keep your wound dry for the first 24 hours
  • If you take a shower, avoid getting water on the wound
  • Do not take a bath or go swimming for at least 1 week
  • If bruising around the wound suddenly gets bigger or harder:
    • Call your doctor immediately
    • Lie down and apply pressure to the area just above the wound for 15 minutes (this should stop the bleeding) For safety, lie down for 2 or more hours
Call for help if needed - contact your doctor or emergency services. Have those important phoneGrandmother-lifting-up-two-year-old-and-touching-noses.jpg numbers handy, always.
  • You experience an increase in shortness of breath or sudden chest pain that doesn’t go away with rest or medication
  • You feel dizzy, very tired or faint, or have a fever
  • You have weight gain greater than 2lbs overnight
  • You cannot keep taking your medications because of side effects, such as rash, bleeding, or upset stomach
  • Before any medical or dental procedure; you may need to be prescribed antibiotics to avoid potential infection
  • The wound site is bleeding, becomes swollen, red, painful or has yellow or green discharge