A quadruple bypass is a complex heart surgery to restore blood flow to the heart. It’s necessary when all four blood vessels to the heart are blocked. For upwards of two months, your dad may feel some pain, but he’s also essentially starting over and needs to learn how to take care of himself and his heart.
What Happens at Home?
After the surgery, your dad may be in a critical care ward for one or two days. If he’s doing okay, he should be going home within a week. Talk to his cardiologist about post-hospital care to help get him out of the hospital as soon as possible.
Nurses can administer IV medications to prevent clots and manage pain. They’ll check his oxygen saturation levels, blood pressure, pulse, and temperature. If anything concerns the nurse, his doctors will be consulted to determine what needs to happen next.
His pain needs to be managed without relying too heavily on prescriptions. His nurse will monitor what pain medications he’s using, control the doses, and talk to his doctor if the medications he’s using aren’t working effectively. He won’t heal as fast if he’s in a lot of pain, but he also needs to avoid becoming dependent on prescription pain medications.
His incisions need to be cleaned and bandaged properly. A nurse does this. Plus, the nurse knows the signs of infection and can make sure any problems are addressed immediately. You don’t want the infection to spread and cause complications.
Your dad isn’t going to be allowed to drive for a couple of months. He will need to work with a physical therapist to rebuild strength without overdoing it. His physical therapist can come to his home and help him with exercises that slowly rebuild stamina and strength. He needs to get to the point where he’s able to exercise at least 30 minutes per day.
Your dad will likely need to learn how to eat healthy foods to protect his heart. A heart-healthy diet is important, but it can be difficult to learn how to choose foods that he enjoys that are also low-sodium, low-fat, and low-sugar. Working with a nurse specializing in dietary concerns is important.
Emotional health also matters. Your dad needs to learn to de-stress and not let it build up. His nurse can assess his mental and emotional health and talk to his doctors if things are getting to him. He may need to work with a therapist to unpack past stressors and learn healthier ways to manage stressful days.
Arrange Post-Hospital Care
The recovery from a quadruple bypass can take up to three months. Make sure he has support for as long as he needs it.
The last thing your family wants is for your dad to end up back in the hospital. Arrange post-hospital care services to ensure he has a skilled nurse available to help during his recovery. Nurses can help him with pain management, check his vital signs, and assist with incision care. Call a home health care agency to schedule post-hospital care.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering Post-Hospital Care in Charlotte, NC please contact the caring staff at Affordable Family Care. Serving Raleigh, Greensboro, and the surrounding areas in North Carolina. Call today (919) 676-1070
