Stage three (days 3 through 7)
You may walk up to 600 feet three times per day. You may shampoo your hair, expanding your activity to moving your arms above your head. You may begin supervised stair climbing. It is also possible that, prior to discharge, you will be given an exercise tolerance test.
Discharge
Discharge times vary with each patient. If you were treated with bypass surgery and have no subsequent complications, you may be safely discharged in fewer than five days. Discharge is more common, however, five to six days after admission. Most complications that prevent early discharge happen within the first day or two of admission.
If you have complications, discharge is deferred until your condition is stable for several days and it is clear that you are responding appropriately to necessary medications.
Prior to discharge, you will be given detailed instructions about activities in which you can engage. They should initially avoid lifting and rest several times per day. You should be given nitroglycerin tablets and should be instructed in their use and the use of any other medications. As time progresses, you should resume more activities. Any activity, including sexual activity, that causes chest pain should be avoided until appropriate medical follow-up and a possible standard exercise stress test.
II. Short-term recovery
In at least one-third of cases, the first sign of heart disease is a heart attack. Recovery will vary based on the type of treatment you receive at the hospital and your overall health, age and medical history.
Doctors will try to open clogged coronary arteries to prevent another heart attack for many heart attack patients. Two common surgical techniques to re-vascularize (or open) clogged arteries are bypass surgery and angioplasty. Bypass surgery is an invasive procedure, often performed when patients cannot be treated with angioplasty. (For a description of bypass and angioplasty procedures, refer to Heart Attack, Part I: A Patient Guide.)
Previous Story
