Hey everybody,

Just a quick reminder to use your incentive spirometer following heart valve surgery. I know it is somewhat laborious and it can be painful but the incentive spirometer is one of the best ways to manage fluid in the lungs following cardiac bypass surgery. The incentive spirometer can also protect against collapsed alveoli which can lead to pneumonia.

An Incentive Spirometer

I just received this email from Kathy which emphasizes this point. Kathy had [1] aortic valve replacement on February 11.

“Adam - Currently, I still have some fluid around the heart. I also have a bit of [2] fluid in both lungs after surgery. The right lung, if it does not resolve itself, may have to be drained with a needle. I am finally using the spirometer regularly which is part of the doctor’s recommendation. I guess it’s not too late. I was in such discomfort before. Plus I had a dry, unproductive cough in the hospital, that I stopped using the spirometer. My next echo is March 28th. The echo I had a few days ago indicates, that the fluid has improved. Evidently, the colchicine is working. Hoping for the best! Kathy”

Like Kathy, I also had some [3] complications with fluid in my lungs after heart surgery. It took several days of frequent spirometer use but the painful breathing and fluid in my lungs did go away.

Keep on tickin!

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About The Author: [5] To learn more about Adam and his heart valve surgery book, click here.