A New Beginning 2012-7 - UHSM
A New Beginning 2012-7 - UHSM
A New Beginning 2012-7 - UHSM
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• Arm and shoulder exercises 14<br />
• Moving about the bed 15<br />
• Positioning and posture 15<br />
Clothing advice 15<br />
Physical effects of surgery 15<br />
Psychological effects for you and your family 17<br />
Wound care, healing and bathing 17<br />
Going home 18<br />
Medication 18<br />
Your follow-up 22<br />
Advice about financial matters 22<br />
Section C - Your rehabilitation<br />
Cardiac rehabilitation 23<br />
First few days at home 24<br />
Sleep and rest 24<br />
Relaxation 25<br />
Physical activity 26<br />
Perceived exertion scale 28<br />
Walking 28<br />
Home exercises 30<br />
Household tasks and gardening 31<br />
2<br />
Summary: recovery and rehabilitation guide<br />
Below is a weekly guide intended to give you an overall picture of how you might hope to<br />
progress.<br />
Remember - it is only a guide. Everyone progresses at a different rate and a return to your<br />
normal daily activities should be determined by how you feel during each activity.<br />
Week 1<br />
Cardiothoracic Critical Care Unit (CTCCU) on day of operation<br />
CTCCU or ward (day one)<br />
Breathing exercises, begin foot, leg and arm exercises<br />
Return to ward, begin walking (day two)<br />
Progress walking gradually (days three to five), climb stairs if appropriate<br />
Week 2<br />
Return home<br />
Inform GP of your return home<br />
Home visit by district nurse (where appropriate)<br />
Rest and walk around your home and garden, climb stairs as necessary<br />
Continue arm and shoulder exercises<br />
Take things gently - read, listen to music, watch television<br />
Make yourself a light snack<br />
Week 3<br />
Continue arm and shoulder exercises<br />
Begin light activities, i.e. dusting, set the table, prepare light meals<br />
Short daily walk<br />
Week 4<br />
Continue arm and shoulder exercises<br />
Increase activities in the house<br />
Begin light activities (seated) outside<br />
Begin light social activities<br />
Sexual activity may be resumed<br />
May take a restful holiday in own country<br />
Daily walk<br />
Week 5<br />
Continue arm and shoulder exercises<br />
Increase activities to include machine washing, cooking and ironing<br />
Daily walk<br />
Weeks 6 - 7<br />
Continue arm and shoulder exercises. Add arm stretches (see page 14)<br />
May lie on stomach when sleeping<br />
May start walking a dog on a lead<br />
May start to lift weights exceeding 5 lbs (2.3 kg), carry shopping bags, push supermarket<br />
trolleys<br />
Increase activities to include sweeping, vacuuming, mopping floors<br />
May start driving a car<br />
Start the exercise component of your local cardiac rehabilitation programme<br />
May start cycling, bowling, dancing, putting for golf<br />
You should have had or received your appointment for your surgical outpatient<br />
follow-up<br />
Daily brisk walk<br />
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