After heart surgery: keep this on the fridge
Watch for these in the first few weeks
Most people recover well. But fluid can build up around the heart, often in the second or third week, after you are home. Call your care team if you notice:
- More shortness of breath than the day before
- Feeling very tired or weak
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- A fast or fluttering heartbeat
- Swelling, or fullness and pressure in the chest
Call 911 or go to the ER right away if you have:
- Severe shortness of breath
- Fainting, or feeling like you might pass out
- Chest pressure or chest pain
When in doubt, call. Your care team would rather hear from you.
My care team
Care team phone: ______________________________
Nurse line: ______________________________
My medicines (including blood thinners): ______________________________
My next appointment: ______________________________
Good to know
- Home monitoring uses the same fingertip clip used in clinics. No new device to buy.
- Caught early, fluid around the heart is very treatable.
- Never stop a blood thinner on your own; call your team first.
PulSentry is investigational and not FDA-cleared. This guide is for general education, not medical advice. Always follow your own care team. Reviewed by Gregory R. Mason, MD, June 2026.
Medically reviewed by Gregory R. Mason, MD
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