Physical Activity After Heart Surgery

Types of activities you can do after heart surgery

Remember in the first 4 to 6 weeks after heart surgery:
•	Do not do anything that pulls on your incision.
•	Do not carry, push or pull things that weigh more than 10 lbs or 4.5 kg.
		Note: carrying things up/down stairs is much harder on your heart than carrying the same things on level ground
•	Do not do things that make you raise your arms above your shoulders (e.g. put groceries on a high shelf) or work with your arms above your head.
•	Do not start any activity that you have never done before.
•	When you add back activities you have done before, do it slowly. Only do them for a short time. After you finish, check how you feel.

•	When you are being active, listen to your body. Stop exercising if:
	•	you feel pain;
	•	your stomach is upset;
	•	you are short of breath, dizzy or lightheaded
	•	your heart is pounding or your heart rate goes up more than 20 beats a minute.
•	Take your heart rate before, during and after you exercise. Your heart rate, during and after exercise, should not be more than 20 beats a minute higher than your heart rate before exercise. Click here to learn how to check your heart rate .
•	Talk to your doctor if you have further questions or concerns

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