Weakness, fatigue, and shortness of breath

What you can expect:

Nearly all patients recovering from a heart attack will experience weakness, fatigue, and shortness of breath.

What you can do:

• As soon as you get the doctor's okay, encourage the patient to get moving. Just getting out of bed, taking a shower, and dressing may be exhausting at first. In the first week, he should begin walking five minutes, five times a day. Although this won't seem like much activity to you, it may be very difficult for him. Acknowledge that he's having a hard time while encouraging him to continue. After a few days, you should notice a significant reduction in fatigue and shortness of breath.
• Be patient and encourage him to do the same. He's just been through a major ordeal and you should both expect his recovery to take time.
• Within a few weeks, he should be able to begin a modified exercise program. If he has always been fairly sedentary, he may resist this idea. You might motivate him to exercise by helping him set specific, realistic goals; exercising with him; keeping a journal of his progress; getting him moving first thing in the morning; and helping him find exercises he likes to do.
• Recognize that it's not all up to you. You can encourage him to exercise, but ultimately he'll have to decide he wants to do it.

Leg swelling

What you can expect:

Leg swelling is very common, especially after bypass surgery. If the surgeon removed veins from the patient's legs for use as bypass grafts, fluid may accumulate in his ankles and lower legs. The swelling can be very uncomfortable and even painful.

What you can do:

• While he's resting on the bed or couch, place several pillows under his legs to elevate his feet higher than his heart. Do this for an hour at a time, at least three times a day.
• Encourage him to walk as much as he can. Even short jaunts around the house or yard can promote circulation.
• Support stockings can minimize swelling. You can buy these at any medical supply store and at some drugstores.
• If his leg swelling worsens significantly, notify his doctor immediately. Fluid buildup in the lower extremities is also a symptom of heart failure.