YOUR RECOVERY

What to Expect During Recovery As you recover from cardiac surgery over the next four to eight weeks, your attention span and short-term memory will be temporarily compromised. It is not unusual for people to simply forget important issues during the immediate post-operative time frame. So, although you were given specific directions before discharge, below is a link to a reference guide for you, your family members, and caregivers. Click here for information on how to manage common problems during the post-operative period and what to expect during your recovery. Common Medications Prescribed After Surgery Upon discharge from the hospital following cardiac surgery, patients are given information about their prescribed medications that includes recommended dosages, frequently asked questions and answers about taking the medications, as well as information about side effects. If you are concerned about your medicines or believe you are having a reaction to one of them, call your physician. In general, the medicines prescribed after cardiac surgery are meant to keep your blood pressure on the low end of normal and your heart rate relatively low. This reduces the workload on your heart in the early period following surgery and is beneficial to your recovery. Some of these medicines will be necessary for a relatively short period of time, while others may be prescribed for a longer period of time. It is important that you take them as prescribed. Click here to learn more about the common types of medications that are prescribed after cardiac surgery.