Advice

Doctors recommended bypass surgery,which i cant have at present due to complex factors.On medication and have no symptoms.Question how long can medications control symptoms.Had angina no heart attack.If i have bypass how long recovery and what support do i need as only have wife no family to rely on .Wife works full time.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Hello and welcome to the forum! I had a quadruple bypass in June. In general it went well, although I did develop an electrolyte imbalance and then anaemia, despite other factors such as Type I Diabetes and PAD. I was in hospital for eight days and my girlfriend took a week off after I was discharged to monitor me and accompany me on short walks. Afterwards I fended for myself within the guidelines (lift no more than a half full {or half empty} kettle, etc.). Being discharged in the heat wave did hinder my walking but this has improved since the rains came. I also walk my girlfriend's Jack Russel cross but because he is a puller I tie him to a second belt but I have a massive weight advantage (not overweight just overtall). Any queries just ask.

[Hidden in reply to MichaelJH]

Thanks Michael for info.

[gal4God]

I remember telling my neighbor to have a heart op He couldn’t have as he was caring for his wife so he put it off so I’m going to say the same thing look after ur self so u can be awesome 4 others. If doctors want a bypass surgery then u need to have it.

[Hidden in reply to gal4God]

Thanks i will bear this in mind.

[stevejb1810]

If you are already at the point where the cardiologist is telling you you need a bypass then you really need a bypass. Drugs will help but they will only help, they do not provide 100% guarantees and you really do not want a heart attack.

I had a triple bypass 10 months ago. (Without having had a heart attack first). I was in hospital post op for 5 days and discharged from the surgical team 4 weeks later. In the first few days back at home I was close to useless but after that I could function enough on my wife to be able to leave me alone for a few hours. realistically your wife should reckon on at least a week off work to look after you once you are discharged. Full recovery can take a lot longer but you should be driving from around 4-6 weeks post op and pretty much normal by around 3 months (but some are better at recovery than others so this is just a general guide).

[Hidden in reply to stevejb1810]

Thanks for info it is food for thought

[controlcause]

I was advised bypass 16months back after stenting failed due to complex 100% blocked plaque..i am doing good on medication and lifestyle changes.Each one of us is different.Good luck to you as decision is really difficult at a cross road