Postoperative care & healthy living

Cardiology Rehabilitation

This outpatient program is staffed and run by cardiologists and specially trained cardiac nurses. Recovering heart patients are provided a monitored individualized exercise regimen. They are also educated on necessary lifestyle changes associated with their disease. At the conclusion of the program, patients leave with a life-long plan aimed at a healthier heart.

Download the post operative patient guide HERE

Our Cardiac Rehabilitation Center has two convenient locations:

Staten Island University Hospital
The HLS Building
501 Seaview Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10305
718-351-2581
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Richmond University Medical Center
Villa Building, 1st floor
355 Bard Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10310
718-720-1222
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Going Home After Open Heart Surgery:

How Do I take care of my incisions?
Caring for your incisions requires a nightly shower with a mild, unscented soap. Don’t let the pressure of the shower hit the incision (have your back to the water), but the incisions must get soaped up and rinsed off. There are generally no dressings to change after surgery.

When do my stitches come out?

There are actually no stitches on the main incision, instead you will go home with “steri strips” (little pieces of tape) on the surface of the skin. These will loosen up and come off as you shower. There may be an actual stitch where you had some drains after surgery; these will be taken out by the surgical team prior to discharge or on your postoperative office visit.

Do I need to monitor anything at home?

After surgery you will not be allowed to lift anything over 10 pounds, drive a car, or use exercise machines. If you have an incision down the middle of your chest you cannot do these things for 2 months. If you had a minimally invasive approach, you cannot do these things for 2 weeks.

You also will be wearing white surgical stockings (“Teds”) to prevent swelling of the legs and to prevent blood clots. These go on in the morning and come off at night.

Are there any activity restrictions?

After surgery you will not be allowed to lift anything over 10 pounds, drive a car, or use exercise machines. If you have an incision down the middle of your chest you cannot do these things for 2 months. If you had a minimally invasive approach, you cannot do these things for 2 weeks.

What can I do?

It is important to get up and out of bed each day. The main exercise you will be doing is flat level ground walking. Follow the guidelines which were given to you on how much to walk.

You can use stairs as you need to.

You can return to work when your doctors gives you clearance.

You can go out shopping, to eat, etc… as soon as you feel up to it.

When do I see my doctors?

You will need to have follow up visits with the surgical team, your cardiologist and your primary doctor 1- 2 weeks after you are discharged from the hospital.