JD(S) leader and former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy, who underwent a heart surgery on September 23, is likely to be discharged from the hospital in the next five days, according to doctors who are treating him.

Kumaraswamy, who has been shifted to the special ward after being kept in the ICU for two days, is presently undergoing pulmonary and cardiac rehabilitation, which is a five-day programme.

Dr Girish Navasundi, senior consultant and interventional cardiologist, Apollo Hospitals, said that the JD(S) leader was making the expected recovery, and that he had been doing brisk walking twice a day.

He said that the rehabilitation programme comprisises physical, mental, heart and lung training and would help prevent recurrence of the disease.

Dr Navasundi said that the excessive coughing that Kumaraswamy had been suffering from for the last eight months, had reduced significantly.

“The coughing was caused because of his heart disease. There was degeneration of the valve, which led to a leak of fluid that started accumulating both in his body and lungs. This led to coughing and weight gain,” he said.

Stating that Kumaraswamy had lost eight to 10 kg post surgery, the doctor said that his patient could get back to active politicking if he rested properly for the next two weeks. On Friday, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Energy Minister D K Shivakumar visited Kumaraswamy at the hospital and enquired about his health.

“Kumaraswamy is recovering well. I, however, told him to take it easy and not jump into active politics immediately,” Siddaramaiah later told reporters.

HDK recovering, loses 10 kg post surgery