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Since we were very young, we've been learning how important it is to take good care of our bodies. We learn what foods to eat and what foods to avoid; we learn the benefits and drawbacks of medicine; we even learn--some of us more eagerly than others--how to get our bodies moving. It's true: exercise isn't always popular in our minds, but at the end of the day, we do have to admit that moving is good for our bodies. So, whether we like it or not, we fill our days with treadmills, weights, and gym memberships. We get moving. It's not always easy and it's not always fun, but it's good for us, so we do it. However, exercise after surgery is an entirely different challenge--and an extremely worthy challenge at that.

The human body is a truly amazing machine. Against all odds, our bones, muscles, and organs work together to keep us alive, functioning in ways that we still don't fully understand. Consider, for just a moment, all of the events taking place within any of us right now. The heart is beating. The lungs are working to breathe. The brain is computing thousands of thoughts, sensations, and messages every second. The body is completely responsible for these functions, ensuring that they take place and that they succeed--and it's a good thing, too, because no one really knows how to voluntarily beat their own heart or control messages sent by the brain. When it comes right down to it, we do very little to take care of our bodies considering how much they do for us. However, there are some occasions when the body demands more care, like after cardiac surgery--and on those occasions, rehabilitation is the answer.

Recovering from surgery requires care and consideration. In the case of open heart surgery, the sternal bone is cracked to access the heart and then sewn together with wires. Such a sternal wound has a few post-surgery consequences. One such complication is sternal dehiscence or the reopening of the sternal wound. Here are the do’s and don’ts of preventing sternal dehiscence.

What to Avoid Post-Surgery

It’s important to remember that it takes time to ease back into everyday activities. Refrain from returning to regular exercise routines if they include strenuous movement. Lifting heavy weights can cause excessive tension on wound openings. Holding back from asking for help can also negatively impact your recovery. Enlist the help of one dependable family member or friend in the first week or two. Preventing the sternal wound from opening should be your primary priority and will benefit from outside help.

Although heart attacks are a problem for both genders, heart attacks in women are unique: there are different signs, different symptoms, and different options for rehabilitation after surgery (like postoperative bras instead of general sternum support devices).

A significant part of successful heart surgery rehabilitation is taking the proper amount of time to recover. Going into your heart surgery, know that you will not be fully healed for at least six to seven weeks. During this time it will be vital that you rest and nurture your body.

Preparing for heart surgery is just as important as setting yourself up for a successful recovery. Once you leave the hospital, it will be up to you to make sure your body is healthy. Heart surgery recovery does not need to be overcomplicated if you take the right steps. Here are three things to know.

Answered Questions about Recovering from Heart Surgery

1. When Can I Go Home?

Following surgery, it will take up to a week before you can leave the hospital. After four or five days of rest, you should be able to walk around and go up and down stairs. Patients do not leave the hospital with pain medication any stronger than Motrin or Tylenol so by the time you can go home, you will still be sore but not in an excruciating amount of pain.

Preparing for heart surgery is just as important as setting yourself up for a successful recovery. Once you leave the hospital, it will be up to you to make sure your body is healthy. Heart surgery recovery does not need to be overcomplicated if you take the right steps. Here are three things to know.

Answered Questions about Recovering from Heart Surgery

1. When Can I Go Home?

Following surgery, it will take up to a week before you can leave the hospital. After four or five days of rest, you should be able to walk around and go up and down stairs. Patients do not leave the hospital with pain medication any stronger than Motrin or Tylenol so by the time you can go home, you will still be sore but not in an excruciating amount of pain.

"Complications" is one word you never want to hear--especially when it comes to recovery after heart surgery. The truth is that complications can be a concern, but when you're armed with the right information, a good healing plan, and a little bit of support, it's much easier to avoid problems like sternal dehiscence.

What You Need to Know

Healing is always a journey, which means that it can be a long and winding road sometimes. The good news is that you've got allies on your side. Your doctors and nurses will always give you clear instructions for at-home care, details on what you can and can't do, and explanations for what to expect.

Open-heart surgery- Those three words, in particular, are often shrouded in misunderstanding, discomfort, and worry--so today we'll explore the basics of open-heart surgery, in hopes that understanding will lead to a bit more comfort.

Understanding Open-heart surgery as the patient

Open-heart surgery is complicated and delicate, yes, but the details tend to get exaggerated in the public mind (which is fair, considering that open heart surgery used to be something very different than it is now). The truth is that open-heart surgery may not be simple, but it's not as bad as we tend to think. Here are some details that might change the way you see this procedure.

Everyone goes through cycles of health, but certain symptoms point to larger problems. Heart health experts tend to look for issues such as chest pain, dizziness, and shortness of breath. If any of these have occurred to you recently, read on to learn about heart valves and health upkeep.

1. Symptoms of Problems

While heart valves are essential for the functions of our body, it can be difficult to know when problems are arising. For instance, if you are used to performing certain activities with ease and are suddenly tired very easily, it can be a heart health issue. Same goes for feeling tired all the time in general. Also, if you feel lightheaded, dizzy, or experience fainting, you should see a doctor. Chest pains or irregular heartbeat are addition symptoms of problems.