The Heart Health India Foundation (HHIF) continues to build patient-centred conversations through its Dil Ke Doubts series an open platform where patients, caregivers, and medical professionals connect to address pressing concerns about heart health. On 23 August 2025, HHIF, in partnership with the Society for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (SOCVPR), hosted a session titled Heart & Lung Connection in Bypass Recovery with Dr Poorvi Devani, Senior Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapist at Pratibha Prabhakar Pulmonary Rehabilitation Centre.
The session was moderated by Mr Sajidur Rahman, heart patient advocate and HHIF community representative, whose personal journey added warmth and relatability to the discussion. His empathetic hosting ensured that patient voices were heard and their concerns addressed with clarity and compassion.
Patients Often Leave the Hospital With Unanswered Questions
For bypass patients, the day of discharge feels both relieving and daunting. While surgery addresses the immediate cardiac blockage, the real challenge lies in returning to everyday life. Many patients ask: Why is breathing still difficult? Is chest tightness dangerous? When can I start normal activities again? These uncertainties can trigger fear and delay recovery.
India still lacks structured cardiac rehabilitation facilities at scale. This makes it critical to highlight practical, low-cost strategies like guided breathing, pulmonary care, and physiotherapy to bridge the gap.
Dr Devani Explains Why Heart and Lungs Must Heal Together
Dr Devani opened with a simple truth: “The heart pumps oxygen to the body, but it is the lungs that provide that oxygen. After bypass surgery, this partnership becomes even more important.”
Anaesthesia, surgical incision, and chest wall weakness reduce lung capacity after surgery. This leads to shallow breathing and incomplete lung expansion. When lungs remain weak, the heart has to work harder, slowing recovery. That is why breathing exercises, pulmonary physiotherapy, and conscious lung care are not optional they are essential for safe healing.
Breathing Exercises Can Speed Up Healing
One recurring patient question was: Which breathing exercise should be done, and when?
Dr Devani explained that structured, simple breathing practices help restore lung expansion and reduce the risk of complications. Recommended activities include:
- Deep breathing and guided coughing to prevent atelectasis (partial lung collapse).
- Pranayama-inspired gentle breathwork—but only under supervision.
- Incentive spirometry or balloon inflation to strengthen lung muscles.
Timing also matters. Patients asked if these practices should be done after food or at night. Dr Devani advised doing them multiple times a day, ideally on an empty stomach or at least two hours after meals, and always stopping if discomfort arises.
Managing Breathlessness and Chest Tightness Requires Patience
Another participant asked: If my lungs feel weak, will it affect my heart?
Dr Devani confirmed that weak lungs do place extra stress on the heart. However, gradual improvement is expected if patients stay consistent with physiotherapy and breathing routines. Breathlessness, she explained, is common during the first weeks, but it should steadily reduce. Persistent or worsening symptoms need urgent medical review.
Recovery Is Not Just Physical—Caregivers Play a Central Role
Patients recovering from bypass often feel fear, anxiety, or lack of confidence in moving again. One caregiver asked: What precautions should be taken during exercises?
Dr Devani advised caregivers to monitor for fatigue, dizziness, or abnormal chest pain, and to encourage patients to practise at a slow, steady pace. Recovery is safer when family members stay engaged, provide reassurance, and support lifestyle modifications like healthy diet and regular rest.
Chronic Conditions Like Diabetes Add Complexity
A participant asked: If I am diabetic, are there additional precautions during breathing exercises?
Dr Devani highlighted that diabetes complicates healing. Blood sugar fluctuations can delay tissue repair and increase fatigue. Such patients should carefully pace their rehabilitation, monitor sugar levels, and inform both their cardiologist and physiotherapist of their progress. Gentle, regular breathing routines remain safe and effective, provided they are medically supervised.
Not All Exercises Are Suitable After Surgery
Some participants asked if they could resume traditional yoga practices like Surya Namaskar. Dr Devani cautioned strongly against high-intensity or dynamic sequences for post-bypass patients unless they were already practising them before surgery. Instead, she recommended:
- Seated or lying-down gentle postures.
- Breathing drills.
- Relaxation and mindfulness.
- Avoidance of inverted or strenuous positions.
This patient-specific, individualised approach is essential there is no “one-size-fits-all” in recovery.
Healing Takes Time—But Progress Is Possible
Patients often want to know: How long until I feel normal again? Dr Devani reassured them that recovery typically takes 6–8 weeks for basic activities, with strength continuing to build over several months. Each patient’s journey is unique, shaped by age, co-morbidities, and emotional resilience.
She reminded everyone: “Do not compare your pace with others. Healing is both physical and emotional give yourself time.”
HHIF Provides More Than Information—It Provides Community
The most powerful outcome of this session was not just the medical answers, but the sense of connection. With Mr Sajidur Rahman guiding the dialogue as a fellow heart patient, participants felt safe to voice their concerns. HHIF’s Dil Ke Doubts sessions continue to create this bridge combining professional expertise with lived experience, and building community in the process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Which breathing exercise is safest after bypass?
Gentle deep breathing, guided coughing, and incentive spirometry are recommended. Avoid strenuous pranayama or yoga unless supervised. - When should I do breathing exercises—after food or at night?
Ideally several times a day, on an empty stomach or at least two hours after meals. - If my lungs feel weak, will this affect my heart?
Yes. Weak lungs increase stress on the heart. Consistent breathing exercises help reduce this burden over time. - What precautions should I take while exercising?
Stop if you feel chest pain, dizziness, or excessive fatigue. Always progress gradually and under medical guidance. - As a diabetic patient, are there extra risks during recovery?
Yes. Monitor sugar levels closely, as fluctuations can slow healing. Stay in touch with both your cardiologist and physiotherapist. - Is it safe to practise Surya Namaskar after surgery?
Not unless you were already doing it before surgery and only after medical clearance. It is not recommended for beginners post-surgery. - How long will recovery take?
Basic activities may resume in 6–8 weeks, but complete recovery can take longer depending on age, co-morbidities, and lifestyle.
Closing Note
The Dil Ke Doubts session with Dr Poorvi Devani, hosted by Mr Sajidur Rahman, reaffirmed that bypass recovery is not about the heart alone it is about the partnership of the heart and lungs, guided by patience, care, and community. With structured breathing practices, caregiver involvement, and consistent follow-up, recovery becomes safer and smoother.
Through platforms like HHIF, patients gain not only medical clarity but also emotional reassurance healing together, one breath at a time.
