How Should You Sleep After Heart Surgery?

Adam:

I had open heart surgery weeks ago today. I’ve always slept on my side but have not done so yet. I don’t have an appointment with the surgeon and cardiologist for three more weeks. Do I still have to sleep on my back until then? I haven’t had much sternum discomfort. I’m just afraid I’d crack it if I got on my side too soon.

Also, I sleep in a recliner because if I lay down on my bed I immediately get a lower back ache. Have you had any similar comments from other readers?

Thanks.

Al Metrik

i had a 7.5 cm ascending aortic aneurysm repair done on 7-03-08 and a mechanical heart valve put in.

i think i’m doing good for now sleeping on my back and side. it’s taking awhile to get my strengh back. doing alot of walking. still having some problems with shortness of breath. having a big problem with my right arm - pins and needles and nummness and also lost alot of strength and motion. doctors think it might be a pinched nerve but they dont know. anyone out there have any problems like this? please let me know. thank you

Today is August 12, and I had open heart surgery on July 18. So it’s been 3 1/2 weeks. I don’t see my surgeon until Sept. 4, but I do see a cardiologist on August 21. I still sleep on my back, but I would love to sleep on my side. I always wake up feeling very stiff in the chest and left neck areas. I did sleep in a recliner the first week, but now sleep in bed.
I seem to get middle of the back pain if I’m standing too long ( after taking a shower ). Just two days ago I started getting a few very sharp pains in my left leg, but I am guessing that is from the stiff muscle finally starting to get some feeling and the nerves healing from where the vein was taken out. I say just give everything time. I’m looking forward to having somebody tell me I can drive again !

i had a triple heart bypass and double valve replacement/repair 12 months ago and after 3 months was told i could drive what a refief,as to question about sleeping i sleep on my stomache but found it hurt after surgery it took about 5 months for me to sleep normal again,but everytime i get a pain or niggle in my chest i start to worry,is this normal ??? i have also changed my family have said ie-very irretable/confused/forgetful/angry/depressed/and moody/i used to be very placid now being compared to victor meldrew,i was told am going through the grieving process,so this is a normal feeling after this type of surgery dont do what i done bottled it up,talk to your practice nurse/physio/doctor they can refer you to counceling,didnt work for me buy hey were all different anyway thats me done hope you all have excellent recovery

i had open heart surgery almost exactly one month ago after receiving trauma to my right atrium. only in the last few days have i chanced sleeping on my side. it’s a very mixed blessing kind of situation, though. i find i sleep better but there is rather noticeable extra soreness to my sternum. so i try to fall asleep on my back, and if i wake up on my side i assess the pain. if it’s just a little sore i stay put or switch sides; if it hurts i’ll go back to my back. for the record i only had pain and anti-anxiety meds for the first two weeks and have been truckin’ it since then. another mixed blessing, as i feel like i’m more responsive to my body’s requirements, but obviously it hurts! my follow-up with thorasics is this friday so i hope to alleviate some of my discomfort, in which case i imagine i’ll be sleeping much more comfortably.

Well June 8 was my surgery date. Replaced about 4 inches of the ascending aorta, the aortic root and the aortic valve. I’d had bicuspid aortic valve that was strarting to perform at less than peak levels. But the enlarged aorta (an aortic aneurysm ) was the more pressing health risk. I chose a tissue valve not wanting to be on Coumadin and willing to take the risk of a couple of more surgeries (I’m 61). Procedure was done at Kaiser SF. The entire Kaiser team did a great job. I was cleared to go home on Friday and boy did that feel good. But haven’t slept well the past two night and sleeping pills (prescription and over the counter) don’t seem to help. I did sleep about an hour this morning and when I woke, found myself on my side. Think I’ll try that tonight. I feel blessed to have had such a successful surgery. Now the healing, then recovery, then fitnness!

i had a doub bypass may 12 i still cant sleep its driveing my crazy im on ambein and still cant sleep im very ressent to meds i tryed staying on my back find me on my side or tummy good luck rob

Just got released from the hospital after open heart surgery. I also tended to sleep best face down, very similar to what you describe. Your post had just the info I was looking for — think in terms of 7 weeks, plus/minus to get back to sleeping face down. Thanks for the post!

It’s been 3 yrs for me that I had vlve surgery twice in the same day. After the first in intensive care I coded and had to go through a complete second surgery and had a second bovine put in still having a problem with sleeping but have managed to end semi on my side now with the help with a pillow but at first I’m still stiff when getting up and sit on the side of the bed for a few min. then get up. I had to go for a stress test yesterday and now hoping & praying everything will come back ok. really worried about my blood pressure ever since the valve surgery my blood pressure is running pretty low. Alway’s had high blood pressure so go figure but need to find out and hoping beyond hope just need a change in one of the meds. Lol to all and a special T.Y. to Adam for this blog. Still ticking. Diane

I am four weeks past open chest surgery to remove a tumor. I\’m a side sleeper and almost rolled to my side last night. I\’m still a little intimidated by the thought. Sleeping part time in bed and part time in recliner every night. Not taking any pain meds anymore, but still experiencing different pains in my chest/lung area. I\’m getting a little down with the slowness of this recovery, I guess that\’s normal. Grateful for my surgeon and a good prognosis and your site Adam.