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Heart Surgery Recovery

Nutrition and Discharge Classes

Did you miss the Discharge Education or Nutrition Classes? If you missed these classes during your stay in hospital or want to listen to them again, you can watch them here. These four videos share important information from a dietitian, occupational therapist, social worker and former patient.

Cardiac Patient Handbook is also available in following languages:

Simlified Chinese version (pdf) Simplified Chinese

Traditional Chinese version (pdf) Traditional Chinese

Tagalog version (pdf)Tagalog

Hindi version (pdf)Hindi

Punjabi version (pdf)Punjabi


Side Effects and Recovery Tips

The following series are instructional videos from staff on the Cardiovascular Unit in the hospital. They are short videos that will remind you of possible side effects you may experience at home. Other videos will provide some tips and specific information you may have forgotten to ensure a safe recovery at home. We especially encourage you to watch the video on the Cardiac Rehab program as you will attend this in the coming weeks after your return home.

click to open When to call 911 after heart surgery video click to open Fast fluttering heartbeat (Palpitations) video click to open What to do if I have shortness of breath, coughing or swelling video click to open What to do if I have surgical pain video click to open Caring for your surgical incision video click to open What to do if I’m constipated video click to open Medication reminders video click to open How to get in and out of bed video click to open Walking after heart surgery video click to open How to climb stairs video click to open How to get in and out of a car video click to open Why cardiac rehab is important video


Patient Perspective

While instruction from staff is critical, sometimes it is nice to hear what the experience has been like for other patients. The following stories are from some of our former heart surgery patients. Please remember that each patient’s experience is unique and what you see here will not necessarily represent your journey. We hope these patient stories will give you some insights into healing from heart surgery and encourage you with your recovery.

click to open Patient experience with fast fluttering heartbeat after heart surgery video click to open Patient experience with healing video click to open Patient experience in caring for incisions at home video click to open Patient perspective on managing constipation video click to open Patient perspective on managing medication video click to open Patient perspective on walking after heart surgery video click to open Caregiver concerns after heart surgery video click to open Patient experience with going home video click to open Patient experience with Cardiac Rehab video


Patient Story