You and your family must start planning for your return home before your admission to the hospital. Most people who have this procedure say it takes them one to three months to recover.

Do not lift, push or pull anything that weighs more than 10 pounds for the first five days after you go home.

Carry on with the physical activity plan that you started in the hospital.

Why Your Physical Activity Plan Is So Important

After your TAVI procedure, you will start a physical activity program which is designed to help you recover and get your energy back.

Exercise helps you to:

• Feel less tired
• Feel less short of breath
• Sleep better
• Gain more energy to do what you love
• Improve your mood
• Have less difficulty with daily activities
• Feel more confident and in control

Learn to Balance Your Activity with Rest

Give yourself time to get back to normal. Most of our patients tell us it takes about a month to feel fully recovered.

Use the tips below to save your energy and help your recovery.

Prioritize: Decide what tasks you really need to do yourself and what tasks you can ask someone else to do.

Plan: Do the things that use up your energy when you are feeling your best. Make sure you build in rest or relaxation periods during the day.

Pace: Break down hard jobs into smaller tasks and take regular breaks before you become tired.

Position: If you sit to perform a task, you will use 25% less energy than standing. Avoid unnecessary bending or overhead reaching.

Practical Tips

• Organize your time so that you take fewer trips up and down your stairs.
• Double the recipe when you cook and freeze some for another day.
• Use lightweight pots and pans for cooking.
• Consider equipment such as a shower chair, reacher and long handled shoe horn.
• Get extra rest the day before a celebration.
• Get extra rest during times of emotional stress or illness.
• Use a weekly schedule.

Your Walking Program

Walking is one of the best exercises for improving your health after a TAVI procedure. Plan to walk every day. Have someone walk with you for the first couple of weeks.

Begin with short periods at a slow pace. Gradually increase the length of time before increasing the intensity.

If you can’t walk five minutes without stopping, try interval training:

• Walk for two to five minutes and then rest for two to five minutes
• Repeat as many times as you are able
• Gradually decrease the resting time between intervals

Exercises

While you are exercising:

• You should be able to carry on light conversation.
• Start with a warm-up and end with a cooldown (e.g., slower walking, seated or standing exercises).
• Walk on flat ground.
• Wait at least one hour after a meal before exercising.
• Exercise at a time of day when you feel rested, usually the morning rather than afternoon.
• Avoid extreme heat or cold. You might consider walking indoors in a mall, using a treadmill (no incline) or a stationary bicycle (little or no tension).
• Avoid heavy lifting or pushing.
• Avoid activities that involve using your arms above your head.
• Avoid exercises that make you strain, grunt or hold your breath.
• You should be back to your resting state within 10 minutes of completing your exercise. If not, reduce the time or intensity of exercise next time.

Tips to Stay Active

• Include a variety of activities that you enjoy.
• Any amount of activity is better than none at all.
• Stick with it until it becomes a habit.
• Wear comfortable clothing and shoes.
• Invite a friend to join you for a walk.
• Schedule exercise into your day.
• Set reasonable goals for yourself.
• Keep an exercise journal to track your progress.

Daily Weight Checks

While you are recovering in the hospital, your weight will be checked daily. A sudden weight gain might be an early sign you are retaining extra fluid. When you go home, you will need to continue to weigh yourself every day for the first month to make sure you are not building up extra fluid.

Before you are discharged, you will be given a daily weight tracker form. There are spaces on this form for you to write down your weight every day. The nurse will review with you how to weigh yourself daily and when you need to call us.

When you are discharged from the Heart Institute, expect to have a new prescription written for all of your medications. Some of the medications will be the same as what you were taking before and some will be different.

Before you go home, it is important that you and your family understand your prescription and how to take each medication. If you have any questions, make sure you ask. You may have to take an anti-platelet medication. These medications make your blood less sticky and will help to prevent clots forming on your new valve.