Cough after CABG

[Alisonflea]

Hi my dad’s finally home after bypass surgery. He has a cough that’s making it very difficult to sleep. We’ve used lots of pillows to prop him up as suggested. Any suggestions that might help

[wiltsgirl]

Hi Alisonflea, glad your dad is home and recovering. Does he take Ramipril? or similar? One of the side effects is a tickly cough and such like. This may or may not be the problem. Also I had some fluid on my lungs that cleared within a few weeks but it did leave me with some 'rasping'. Best of luck to him, looks like he has the support he needs.Take care x

[Alisonflea in reply to wiltsgirl]

Thanks. I’ll check his meds. Could be that. Hope you are still fit and healthy. X

[wiltsgirl in reply to Alisonflea]

all good nearly 7 months post op thanks. Has he been offered cardio rehab yet? If not get him to chase this with his cardio team. They offer a great deal of support and information.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Could it be a minor cold/cough. If so, pop into a pharmacy with a list of his current medication so they can advise. Do not buy any of well advertised cold remedies as many up the blood pressure (a little advertised fact).

[Alisonflea in reply to MichaelJH]

Thank you

[stevejb1810]

As has been suggested already, if he is taking Ramipril that could be the cause (it’s a well know side effect). He could try some deep breathing exercises as, again has been suggested, it might be fluid in the lungs (not uncommon post op).if it continues beyond a week I think a word with the GP might be in order.

[Alisonflea in reply to stevejb1810]

Thank you

[sandrann]

Hi there as Alison..after my CABG I was encouraged to regularly cough as were other patients in hospital as to relieve the body of the mucous that's a result of the surgery...

[Alisonflea in reply to sandrann]

Thanks. That makes sense.

[rockie1952]

I believe Perindropil also can cause a tickly dry cough. If it is really bad the GP may try a different drug or adjust the dosage. I had a more chesty cough for a couple of months after my CABG. It gradually wore off over the next couple of months. I did sleep propped up with 6 pillows for all that time, as I found it helped. I can now lie flat OK (4 - 5 months after the op).

[Alisonflea in reply to rockie1952]

Thanks. I think it is more chesty. We’ve propped him with many pillows so fingers crossed he can sleep better