having had AVR 6weeks ago, recovery is going well. clinical review is not for another 4wks i feel i am ok to start driving again but who decides weather i can
i had minimal invasive surgery so my breast bone was not effected
any help would be great thanks
GP as well as cardiologist can also dive you permission to resume driving if he is happy. Although breastbone has not been cut the heart has been operated on - people often forget this...
Hi Vinc,
I had a triple bypass operation in June. On my discharge notes from the hospital someone had written in a thick black biro "do not drive for at least 6 weeks". In fairness I knew after 4 weeks there was no way I could have safely gone out in my car. By 6 weeks though I felt ok. My plan was simple, I was going to drive to the end of my road, less that a hundred yards but involved turning to look over my shoulder to reverse out of the drive. I vowed that if I got to the end of the street and felt less than 100 per cent then I'd immediately turn round and go back home. In the event it was fine and therefore I entered phase two which was a half mile loop around the village green and back. That was fine also, if it hadn't been I had planned to abandon the car and walk home.
I carried on into the edge of town and sat in a chair while a group of guys at the car wash made my little 208 all shiny again, the poor thing was grubby as hell.
You decide Vinc. I'm sure you won't put yourself in any unnecessary danger.
Alec.
I too had a triple heart bypass in June with the same advice on the discharge paperwork. I was ready to drive after six weeks after the usual twisting round to view behind me and able to withstand the rigours of harsh breaking om my chest I also advised my insurance company who told me the advice to inform them was only a guide line since due diligence was what was actually required. Six weeks is a good target, the rest is up to you and of course, common sense
With *anything* like this, you need the agreement of a medical professional before you can drive - if you haven’t had the official ok, your insurance may well be completely invalid in the event of having any kind of accident, often regardless of whether your op/condition was relevant to the incident occurring or not. I’m awaiting an abdominal op and have been told I won’t be able to drive for between two and six weeks depending on how I heal, and can only do so when they’ve agreed it’s ok - any surgery to the chest or abdomen impacts on seatbelts, the ability to safely emergency stop and often how well you can turn for visibility. There’s also the additional risk of tearing internal, still healing tissues and structures if you were involved in a crash. The risk might be small, but simply not worth it if you haven’t been told you’re ok to get behind the wheel.
I seriously cannot understand why people have an issue getting the OK to drive from their GP/cardiologist! Being told you should be able to drive in six weeks does not mean you will be able to as there may be complications, the wound (including internal ones) may not be fully healed, etc. There is absolutely no excuse for not doing so!
Hi vinc , I had aortic valve replacement surgery in August mine was open heart surgery. I was told not to drive for 6 weeks . After 6 weeks I was back behind the wheel no problem ❤
I also have a problem with the way some people are giving you rules to adhere to. The NHS booklet (that I still have) where it is quite clear that under usual circumstances you will be able to continue driving after six weeks - which is the time they believe it takes for the breast bone to knit and take up the stress and strain of driving. No one told me to tell my insurance company about the operation or to tell them I was resuming to drive. However, being a belt and braces man I informed them of both events. In the first instance they said thanks for telling us and on the second - thanks for telling us, however you do not need to tell us since it is usual to resume after a six week period - UNLESS ADVISED TO THE CONTRARY. We are all different and we heal differently and strongly believe we know ourselves best and whether we are able to continue driving - for some people, especially living in the country, it is a necessity and not a convenience. I actually waited for seven weeks for I did not feel "comfortable" in the driving seat - after that the sky's the limit.
Not sure in UK but in Oz the law states minimum time irrespective of medical opinion and then you need medical clearance for insurance purposes, best practice is to actually notify the insurer once you have the clearance
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