Protecting the “heart bridge” after bypass surgery

When coronary artery bypass surgery is done for patients with coronary heart disease and they are ready to be discharged from the hospital, the medical staff will often list a long list of precautions to be taken after discharge. Wuhan Union Hospital Cardiac Surgery Department Du Xinxin This is because coronary heart disease is caused by atherosclerosis, which is a systemic disease that develops gradually. Surgery can only remove local disease and cannot curb the development of systemic atherosclerosis, so it is necessary to make reasonable postoperative adjustments.  Control blood pressure, blood sugar and blood lipids. Anyone who has had coronary artery bypass surgery should quit smoking and limit alcohol, control blood pressure below 130/80mmHg, and moderate weight control. Diabetic patients should control fasting blood sugar at about 6mmol/L, two hours after meal blood sugar should be controlled within 8mmol/L and glycated hemoglobin below 7%. Blood lipids should also be controlled, with total cholesterol below 4.68mmol/L, LDL below 2.60mmol/L, triglycerides below 1.70mmol/L and HDL above 1.0mmol/L. Gradual and appropriate activities. Patients should participate in outdoor activities appropriately after surgery. Postoperative week 1: walking should be done twice a day for 5 minutes each time. Postoperative week 2: walk twice a day for 10 minutes each time. Postoperative week 3: walk twice a day for 20 minutes each time. Post-operative week 4: you should gradually increase to 30 minutes of walking each time. This will gradually improve blood circulation and strengthen muscles and bones. If you experience discomfort such as chest pain, shortness of breath, asthma and fatigue while walking, you should stop the activity immediately.  Insist on taking medication. Patients should insist on taking oral anticoagulants such as aspirin, which prevents platelet aggregation, and betalactam, which improves the diastolic function of the heart, after surgery.  Regular review. Postoperative patients must have regular cardiology outpatient checkups and should be seen promptly if they have symptoms such as chest tightness and chest pain.