Aches and pains after open heart surgery

[Adrian52]

Hello. I had open heart surgery last May and I still get aches and pains following the surgery in my chest. It feels almost like my heart is twisted inside or scar tissue is being pulled or that I'm straining at stitches inside my chest. Is this common and should I just get used to it? I had no symptoms before surgery (my condition was spotted by chance) and I'm wondering if I'll return to full fitness like before surgery and not feel aching and pulling from inside my chest.

I also get twinges of pain and aching from my chest when I cough and sneeze, again does anyone know if this is to be expected and is it a permanent thing? It's almost like I've pulled or strained a muscle inside my chest which when I cough or sneeze causes it to become uncomfortable.

Thanks all.

[Chappychap]

I'm 16 weeks post open heart surgery, coughing or sneezing no longer hurts at all.

By 12 weeks there was no longer any pain from coughing or sneezing, and even by about 6 weeks that really sharp, stabbing pain was largely gone leaving just moderate discomfort.

However, see the reply I made to your other post. I'm told the final healing of things like damaged tendons and muscles can take much longer than the breast bone knitting back together, and a full year isn't uncommon.

rehabilitateyourheart.wordp...

[skid112 Heart Star]

Hi Adrian,

sorry to hear of your issues. I had a quad bypass pass a couple of years ago and it really does take time for your body to heal. Firstly your ribs have been cut open and then wired back, this is probably some of what you are feeling, the bones take a while to knit back together properly. This also causes issues with the surrounding muscles, your shoulder problem in your other post is probably down to this. I had some physio about 9 months in to ease this off. The coughing and sneezing will also hurt for a few months yet, but it really does get better

Mark

[Adrian52 in reply to skid112]

Thanks Mark. Good advice. I'm over worrying I'm sure. My doctor is a waste of time and doesn't know the answers to questions so I gave up asking a long time ago.

[skid112 Heart Star in reply to Adrian52]

Oh one tip that may help, try some breathing exercises, they help get your muscles working and give your lungs a good stretch too. Breathe in deeply for as long as is comfortable 5 or 6 seconds to start, hold it for one or two, then breathe out for a second or two more, slowly force the air out. Sitting is best using your hands to maybe grip the sides of a chair. Do this a couple of times a day to start, gradually increase the time and the number of times.

[wiltsgirl]

Hi Adrian, its horrible isn't it, I had a routine angiogram and thought I would be going home afterwards. No was admitted to have a triple bypass a week later. Its such a shock and you probably were the same as me and not had a chance to prepare for the surgery. I had my surgery in March 2018 and still get twinges and automatically still hold my chest if I sneeze. Anything that you are unsure or worries about needs checking, perhaps your rehab nurses can help? I have been told it can take up to 2 years to become fully healed, but people heal in difference ways. its also about what you are doing, do you lift lots, work manually all of which can make a difference. Best of luck, get it checked out if you have any doubts. xx

[Adrian52 in reply to wiltsgirl]

Thanks for your advice wiltsgirl. You're the second person to tell me they have a rehad nurse who you're in contact with. This is new to me as I've had no post op support, just my GP if I want to see them. I guess it's nhs budget cuts as I've been told there is no support like physio or counselling.

I came across this site a few days ago and I've found it really good to hear other peoples experiences of how they're recovering and I feel much better as a result.

Thanks again. I'll certainly give the breathing exercises a try.

Best wishes Adrian.

[wiltsgirl in reply to Adrian52]

I would speak to the BHF helpline and see if there's any support in your area. Whereabouts are you?

[Salihyuksel67]

I had triple by pass last April and exactly same problem what you having but don't worry about it I been told sometimes healing take about 18 months. I am plumber I am working now and doing lot of lift. I am still ok

Good luck

[John-Butler]

It took nearly 2 years after heart surgery before the pain from cougthing, sneezeing completely went away for me.It does take time

[Adrian52 in reply to John-Butler]

Wow, 2 years. That's good to know though as it has been worrying. Thanks for letting me know.

[Hidden]

Had a cabg x 5 April 2018 same feelings as you.I have a manual job and exercise a lot.Feel as if my wires are coming apart at times.Am also still coughing up a lot of phlegm.Gp says takes a long time to reach normality.xxx

[Adrian52]

Thanks Ravaging, it's comforting to know.