What is a likely cardiovascular concern for the client recovering from cardiac surgery?

Following cardiac surgery, a common cardiovascular concern is elevated blood pressure. This condition can result from several factors, including the stress of surgery on the body, changes in medication, or fluid retention. Monitoring blood pressure is critical during the recovery phase, as both hypotension and hypertension can pose risks to the healing heart and may lead to complications. Elevated blood pressure can indicate that the heart is under excessive strain, potentially affecting overall recovery and increasing the risk of further cardiac events.

The other options, while they may be relevant in a broader context, are less directly associated with immediate post-surgical recovery after cardiac procedures. High blood sugar levels are more commonly a concern in diabetes management; a high body fat percentage can be a chronic health concern rather than an immediate post-surgical issue; and while high cholesterol levels are significant in long-term cardiovascular health, they do not typically present the same immediacy of concern following surgery as elevated blood pressure does. Thus, focusing on blood pressure is essential for safely navigating the recovery process.