❤️ What Is Cardiac Surgery Recovery at Home?
Cardiac surgery recovery home care is a structured, medically supervised support system provided to patients after discharge from hospital following:
- Open heart surgery (CABG – bypass)
- Valve replacement/repair
- Pacemaker or ICD insertion
- Aortic aneurysm repair
- Angioplasty with complications
- Heart transplant (long-term care)
🏠 Why Home Recovery Is Important
- Hospitals discharge patients in 5–10 days, but full recovery takes 6–12 weeks
- Without care, there’s risk of:
- Infection
- Wound reopening
- Shortness of breath or fluid buildup
- BP/sugar complications
- Home care ensures safety, emotional comfort, and close monitoring
👩⚕️ Essential Home Care Services After Heart Surgery
| Care Category | Services Provided |
|---|
| 🩺 Nursing Care | Wound care (sternal), BP/oxygen/pulse checks, medication assistance, injections |
| 🧘 Physiotherapy | Breathing exercises, light mobility, chest expansion exercises |
| 💊 Medication Support | Timely dosage (blood thinners, BP meds, diabetes meds), side effect tracking |
| 🧍 Attendant Help | Bathing, feeding, support for short walks, bed positioning |
| 📈 Monitoring | Daily vitals charting (BP, sugar, oxygen, weight), symptom reporting |
| 🥗 Diet/Nutrition | Low-salt, cardiac recovery diet, fluid intake tracking |
| 🚑 Emergency Protocol | Oxygen backup, ambulance coordination, escalation to cardiologist if needed |
📋 Typical Timeline for Home Recovery
| Phase | Duration | Focus Area |
|---|
| Week 1–2 | Immediate post-discharge | Sterile wound care, breathing, vitals tracking |
| Week 3–6 | Gradual mobilization | Walking support, diet adherence |
| Week 7–12 | Light independence | Light home tasks, rehab focus |
| 3+ months | Long-term monitoring | Lifestyle, weight, heart rehab |
🩹 Wound & Suture Care Details
- Sternal incision must remain dry and infection-free
- Nurses clean with saline/antiseptic and re-dress daily (until healed)
- Watch for swelling, redness, pus, or fever
📍 Trusted Home Care Providers in Tamil Nadu
✅ Inhouse Medicare – Coimbatore
- Specializes in cardiac post-op support + trained nurse visits
- 📞 70944 03384 | inhousemedicare.com
✅ Anbu Sri Sai Home Nursing – Salem & Coimbatore
- Offers nurses, ECG check, and daily monitoring for heart patients
- 📞 78715 31777 / 91597 66477
✅ Nightingales Home Health – Chennai
- Cardiac rehab nurses, physiotherapy, dietitian follow-up
- 📞 1800 103 4530
✅ Sakthi Home Nursing Services – TN-wide
- Experienced with cardiac post-surgery elderly care
- 📞 99527 95188
💰 Cost Estimate (2025)
| Service Type | Monthly Cost (approx.) |
|---|
| 12-hr Nurse (day/night) | ₹15,000 – ₹22,000/month |
| 24×7 Live-in Nurse | ₹25,000 – ₹35,000/month |
| Nurse visit (1 hour) | ₹600 – ₹1,000/visit |
| Physiotherapy (per session) | ₹700 – ₹1,200/session |
| Heart rehab package (4 weeks) | ₹10,000 – ₹20,000 |
ECG check, oximeter, and BP machine can also be arranged on rent.
📦 Things to Keep at Home
- Discharge summary and medication chart
- BP monitor + oximeter + digital thermometer
- Emergency contact list
- Cardiac diet chart (low-salt, low-fat)
- Chair for sitting upright (not lying flat for long periods)
✅ Family Member Tips
- Encourage breathing exercises every 2 hours
- Watch for shortness of breath, chest tightness, fever
- Avoid heavy lifting or stairs in the first 6 weeks
- Keep the wound dry and report any swelling or drainage
- Help patient sit upright during meals and rest
