After surgery, the patient is moved to a hospital bed in the cardiac surgical intensive care unit. Heart rate and blood pressure monitoring devices continuously monitor the patient for 12 to 24 hours. Family will be able to visit periodically. Medications that regulate circulation and blood pressure may be administered through the intravenous tube. A breathing tube (endotracheal tube) will remain in place until the physicians are confident that the patient is awake and ready to breathe comfortably without assistance. 

The patient may feel groggy and disoriented, and sites of incisions – both the chest and the leg, if a segment of blood vessel was taken from the leg – may be sore. Painkillers are given as necessary.

Patients usually stay in the hospital at least three to five days and sometimes longer. During this time, tests will be conducted to assess and monitor the patient’s condition. After release from the hospital, the patient may experience side effects, such as:

Many of these side effects usually disappear over the course of four to six weeks, although a full recovery may take a few months or more. When the patient is ready, he or she may be enrolled in a physician-supervised program of cardiac rehabilitation. This program teaches stress management techniques and other important lessons (e.g., about diet and exercise) and helps people to rebuild their strength and confidence.