Mended Hearts Open Forum

Hi Kevin, Congratulations on your surgery. You are well on your way to healing. With regard to the heart pillow....After OHS I was instructed to ride in vehicle back seat for 10-12 weeks with my pillow between my chest and the seat belt. I slept ...

Hi Kevin Sounds like you're getting a lot of good advice. One thing my nurse friend insisted I do was to have my GP refer me for Home Health. It's covered by Medicare and the nursing is extremely helpful in monitoring your sternal incision and making ...

Hi Kevin, Congratulations on getting your OHS done! It's nice your hospital gave you a heart pillow; my hospital did the same. In addition to supporting my chest while I coughed, I carried my pillow around the house to help me remember to not use my ...

Hi Kevin, I used the pillow when coughing , sneezing , getting out of bed and under the seatbelt when I rode in the backseat of the car. As for sleeping, I used a wedge under my pillow and slept on my back with some elevation from the wedge. I was unable ...

Kevin, I believe the purpose of the heart pillow is to cushion your chest against coughing or sneezes. If you've ever coughed after surgery you'll understand, so keep it handy. Since your heart is left of center in your chest, my suggestion is to try ...