You had surgery to repair or replace one or more of your heart valves. These valves make sure that blood flows through your heart the right way. You had heart valve surgery to improve the flow of blood through your heart. It should also decrease or stop the symptoms you have been having.

• Take your medicines exactly as directed. Don't skip doses.
• Don't use very hot water while showering. It can affect your blood flow and make you dizzy.
• Gently clean your incision every day with mild soap and water. Just let the water splash on it, apply the soap with your hand, and gently rinse. Don't rub it with a washcloth or anything similar. Gently pat dry the area of the incision. Don't use any powders, lotions, antibiotic creams, ointments, or oils on your incision until it's healed, unless advised to do so by your doctor. Healing takes several weeks.
• Weigh yourself every day, at the same time of day, and in the same kind of clothes. A good time to weigh yourself is after you first urinate in the morning. Contact your doctor if you gain 2 pounds or more in 1 day, or 5 pounds in 1 week.
• Tell your doctor if you feel depressed, have trouble sleeping, or have a low appetite that makes it hard to eat. These are common problems after surgery, but they can slow your recovery. It's important to get help.

• Discuss with your doctor what you can and can't do as you recover. You will have good and bad days. This is normal.
• Ask your doctor when you can drive again.
• Ask someone to stand nearby while you shower or do other activities, just in case you need help.
• Don't lift, push, or pull anything heavier than 5 to 10 pounds for 6 to 8 weeks. Your doctor may give you a specific weight restriction.
• Until approved by your doctor, don't mow the lawn, vacuum, or do other activities that could strain your breastbone.
• Hold a pillow firmly over your chest incision when you cough or take deep breaths. This will support your chest and reduce your pain.
• Do breathing exercises at home as instructed by your doctor. This will help prevent pneumonia.
• Ask your doctor when you can expect to return to work. It often depends on the type of work you do.

• Stay at a weight that is healthy for you. Talk to your doctor if you need help losing weight.
• Cut back on salt. Limit canned, dried, packaged, and fast foods. Don't add salt to your food at the table. Season foods with herbs instead of salt when you cook.
• Don’t smoke, vape, or use other tobacco or nicotine products. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor about quit programs and medicines. These can increase your chances of quitting for good.
• Ask your doctor when you can start a walking program.

To start a walking program:

• If you haven't already started a walking program in the hospital, begin with short walks (about 5 minutes) at home. Go a little longer each day.
• Choose a safe place with a level surface, such as a local park or mall.
• Wear supportive shoes to prevent injury to knees and ankles.
• Walk with someone. It may be more fun and help you stay with it.

Make a follow-up appointment as directed by your doctor or their staff. You will have an ultrasound of the heart (echocardiogram) more than once over time to make sure the new heart valve is working well.

You may need to take medicines to thin your blood after having your heart valve replaced or repaired. You may also need blood tests to check how these medicines are working. Make sure you understand the instructions for these.

You may need to take antibiotics before having any dental work or medical procedures. This is common after heart valve surgery. Ask your doctor for instructions before dental cleanings or medical procedures.

Contact your doctor right away if you have:

• A fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as directed by your doctor.
• Redness, swelling, bad odor, fluid, or warmth at the incision site.
• Weight gain of more than 2 pounds in 24 hours or more than 5 pounds in 1 week.
• New or worse swelling in your hands, feet, or ankles.
• Pain that doesn't get better or gets worse.
• A change in the location or type of pain.
• A small amount of bleeding from your wound that stops promptly by itself or with pressure and a bandage.

Call 911if you:

• Have new or unusual chest pain or a return of the heart symptoms you had before surgery.
• Have new or unusual shortness of breath.
• Feel faint or lightheaded or passed out.
• Have a heartbeat (pulse) that is fast, slow, or irregular (extra beats or skipped beats).
• Have heavy or persistent bleeding.