Is it normal to have a cough after open heart surgery?

Yes it is, because you have fluid and some blood in the lungs, it may vary on the surgery. But mainly yes, your body is trying to empty the lungs of what fluid and blood you have left in it, I just had my surgery for a clot in my lungs 5days ago and they told me this was normal but if the blood is very dark and/or coming in alot of loads then contact your surgeon asap. Hope this helps