02/23/2024
Life after a heart transplant can be significantly different, especially in the months after the procedure. Symptoms of cardiac disorders such as end-stage heart failure ought to significantly improve. Many people can keep the same level of physical activity and quality of life as those who have not had a heart transplant. Healthy eating can help you maintain a healthy weight and prevent diseases like diabetes. Staying active can enhance your fitness and prevent blood clots.It is crucial not to smoke. Contact your transplant team for additional guidance and support. You and your transplanted heart are being cared for on an ongoing basis, and you must maintain your fitness and health to ensure that the transplant lasts as long as possible.
Post-Surgery Care At The Hospital
The initial few hours to weeks after your heart transplant are essential for you as your body adjusts to its new, healthy heart. Following surgery, you will require continuous monitoring as you heal.
- Average stay in the ICU: 5 days
- Average Hospital stay: 7–10 days
During this time, expect to:
Use a ventilator until you can breathe and cough independently. Then, follow a nurse's instructions for coughing and breathing exercises every 2 hours.Wear a cardiac monitor throughout your admission.Receive educational help from members of the transplant team.
Post-Surgical Care At Home
Once you leave the hospital, you and your caregivers will become more involved in the care of your new donor heart. This includes regular check-ins and appointments with the heart transplant team to confirm that your recovery goes well and reduce the chance of organ rejection.
At this moment, you will:
Call your heart transplant coordinator to manage your medication, discuss your adjustment back home, and review information on activities you should and should not do until instructed—such as driving, working, etc.Attend all appointments with your providers.Perform testing and procedures, including heart biopsies, to look for evidence of rejection.Cardiac rehabilitation tasks will be performed like caring for your incision, moving around, and breathing exercises. Here are five ways cardiac rehabilitation can benefit your heart health.After your heart transplant, keep an eye out for the following indicators of problems or organ rejection:
- Incision site symptoms(redness, swelling, bleeding, drainage, and pain)
- Having trouble breathing
- Excessive tiredness
- Low blood pressure
If you have any of these symptoms, contact your doctor straight away. Maintaining regular contact with your medical team and attending all visits and procedures will help decrease risk of side effects and complications.To avoid rejection of the transplanted heart, you must take anti-rejection medication daily for the rest of your life. Blood tests must also be performed to check the side effects of anti-rejection medications.To avoid missing a dosage, replenish the medicine on schedule. The transplant team should approve any over-the-counter medication you use.
Additional post-heart transplant drugs such as:
- High cholesterol or lipid levels
- Preventing the risk of infection
- Anti-rejection medication may have a deleterious impact on the immune system, perhaps leading to infections like: Thrush, herpes, and respiratory viruses.
You can help reduce the chance of infection in the first few months following surgery. You should:
- To stay safe, avoid crowds, especially during flu season, and avoid contact with animals, particularly their waste.
- Maintain proper hygiene by often washing your hands and practicing good oral hygiene.
- Avoid loved ones who are ill.
- If you see any signs or suspect you have an infection, please contact your transplant team.
Leading A Heart-Healthy Lifestyle
A fresh heart is a gift that must be nurtured. You may need to adjust your lifestyle to better care for your donor's heart. Routine exercise, a healthy diet, and abstaining from smoking, alcohol, and triggering chemicals are all necessary to help you reap the benefits of your new heart for years to come.
Quit Smoke
You must quit smoking before getting evaluated for a heart transplant. Smoking raises the risk of strokes, heart attacks, and lung disease. Giving up cigarettes will help you avoid complications before transplant surgery and protect your health afterward. If you smoke after your transplant, your heart is more likely to sustain permanent damage faster than it normally would.
Healthy eating habits
After your transplant, you should consume a sensible and balanced diet to help your transplant work well. Aim for at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day, as well as a variety of fiber-rich whole grains. Avoid too much sugar, saturated fat, and salt. A low-sugar diet is very crucial for managing diabetes. A diet low in saturated fat will help keep your cholesterol under control. Many people can drink alcohol in moderation following a transplant; however, it is not suggested for liver transplant patients.
Exercise Regularly
Following a transplant, it is critical to maintain physical activity. To avoid blood clots in the first few weeks, try to walk a little every day. As you recover, you will be able to do more. If your rehabilitation is going well, you will most likely be encouraged to begin exercising again within 6–8 weeks. Most sports and hobbies can be accomplished over time. Before participating in hard-contact sports such as rugby, martial arts, or boxing, consult with your transplant team.
Aim For A Healthy Weight
Weight gain is common following a transplant, particularly within the first year. This is generally a side effect of the drug, but it could simply be because your diet is less strict. Or because you have a healthier appetite when your health improves. However, excessive weight gain puts a burden on your heart and blood vessels, so eat properly and keep as active as possible.
Being a healthier weight can assist in reducing your chances of experiencing issues during your recovery. You should reduce your weight by increasing your physical activity and eating more healthily. Speak with your transplant team for more weight-loss suggestions for improvement.
Wear Sunscreen
Cancer, specifically skin cancer, is more prevalent in people who have undergone a heart transplant. Avoid spending too much time in the sun, and when you do, wear factor 50 sunscreen, long-sleeved clothes, and a hat. If you are invited to cancer screening tests (e.g., mammography, a cervical smear, or bowel cancer screening), it is highly recommended that you attend.
Control Your Blood Pressure
Regular exercise, a well-balanced diet, and maintaining a healthy weight are all helpful for regulating blood pressure. It isn't simply about taking blood pressure medications.
Keep Your Bones Strong
Exercise is important but to know the status of your bones you need a bone scan specially to know if there is any thinning of bones.If there is any abnormality related to your bones,required medications are prescribed.
Conclusion
Maintaining a healthy weight, limiting sugar, altering lipid composition, and controlling sodium intake are critical for heart transplant recipients. Nutritionists can develop a dietary regimen to promote heart health. Maintaining emotional wellness, which includes fear, hopelessness, and anxiety, is as essential as keeping healthy lifestyle habits.