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Activity Guidelines

If you've had a heart attack or cardiac surgery, limit any activity that will increase the workload on the heart for 4-6 weeks (the healing period). Things that increase the workload of the heart are anything that increases heart rate and blood pressure.

This includes:

• Lifting. Do not lift more than 10 pounds in the first 4-6 weeks (a gallon of milk weighs 8 pounds).
• Stairs. Go up and down stairs only 1-2 times daily for the first week you are home. If you have no symptoms of fatigue, 1 flight can be added every 3-4 days.
• Showers are preferred to tub baths for 4-6 weeks or until your incisions are healed. Wash your incisions with soap and avoid creams or lotions on the incisions until they have healed. Avoid extremely hot water, which may cause you to feel dizzy or weak.
• Avoid home activities that require pushing and working hard (vacuuming, raking, shoveling, lawn mowing, mopping). Refrain from these activities for 4-6 weeks. In addition, while sitting, refrain from crossing your legs. This slows the blood flow in the legs. Place your legs on a stool or chair while sitting.
• Refrain from sports that require pushing, working hard or lots of arm movement (handball, tennis, weight lifting or other isometrics). Continue to refrain from weight lifting exercises until your physician approves a weight lifting program.
• If you are recovering from cardiac surgery, beware of walking a large dog that tends to pull you along. Also, beware of pushing or pulling open heavy doors. These activities can put stress on the sternum, which takes 8-12 weeks to completely heal.
• Though you may be taking a leave of absence from work, this is certainly not the time to catch up on yard work, open and clean heavy windows, clean the attic, wash and wax the car, or do other household projects.