This page was reviewed by the ERAS Cardiac Editorial Team and is provided for general education only. Always talk with your care team about your individual treatment plan and recovery needs.
Understanding Nausea and Vomiting After Heart Surgery
Many patients feel sick to their stomach or vomit after heart surgery. This is called postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). While it can be uncomfortable, your care team takes steps to help prevent and manage it.
Some patients are more likely to experience PONV than others. Knowing what to expect, and what to do if it happens, can make recovery easier.
What Causes Nausea and Vomiting After Surgery?
Nausea and vomiting may happen after surgery due to:
- The effects of anesthesia
- Pain medications, especially opioids
- Delayed return of normal digestion
- Limited movement early in recovery
- A personal history of nausea after past surgeries
Why It Matters
Feeling nauseous or vomiting after surgery can:
- Make it harder to eat, drink, or take medication
- Delay movement, nutrition, and hydration
- Increase your risk of dehydration or breathing problems
- Cause discomfort and frustration during recovery
Your care team works to prevent these issues and help you feel as comfortable as possible.
How Your Care Team Helps Prevent PONV
To reduce your risk, your team may:
- Give anti-nausea medications before or after surgery
- Use a multimodal approach to pain relief that reduces opioid use
- Encourage early movement when it’s safe
- Provide education and reassurance so you know what to expect
These steps are personalized based on your needs and recovery plan.
What You Can Do
Here are some ways to support your own recovery:
- Tell your care team if you’ve had nausea after past surgeries
- Speak up early if you start to feel nauseous after surgery
- Follow instructions for eating, drinking, and walking as advised
- Ask questions if you’re unsure what to expect
Your care team is here to help you recover safely and comfortably.
ERAS Cardiac VEC Disclaimer
The Virtual Education Center (VEC) and all included content are provided for general education about enhanced recovery after cardiac surgery. The information has been reviewed by healthcare professionals but is not meant to replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Every patient’s situation is unique. Always talk with your own doctor or care team about what is best for you.
For questions or comments about the ERAS Cardiac VEC, please contact us.
AI Assistance Statement
This summary was developed with assistance from artificial intelligence and reviewed, edited, and approved by the listed editor(s). Reference: OpenAI (2025). ChatGPT (November version) [Large language model].
https://chat.openai.com