Bypass surgery is a must

[Azy1]

Hi im new to here im 45yrs old and had 2 mild and 1 major ha 6 weeks ago just spent 2 weeks in hospital again due to angina attack came home yest and now wsiting for a phone call call for a dare for the operation. I feel so angry esp twrds my family im snapping at them i feel low and im scared has anyone gone through this..iv nt been able to do anything for the last 6 weeks only to be told told yest i stil cant do anything until the operation and then wil stil be in same position till i have recovered...family are constantly dictating what i cant do already feel so upset and iv stil got a long way to go

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Hello and welcome to the forum! I came to a quadruple bypass via a different route. My father, his brother and their father all died prematurely from heart attacks. I, though, developed angina which was increasing in frequency and intensity. For various reasons stenting was not an option.

Others here will be able to advise on anger and depression rather better than I. Look on the positive side - you survived three heart attacks and your heart is still healthy enough to undergo bypass surgery. Anger is a waste of energy and achieves nothing. Waiting is the trickiest bit but keep moving (it helps recovery) and lead a healthy lifestyle (again helps recovery and going forward). Above all remember it is the cardiolgists' day job and they do thousands each year. A friend's father is in his nineties and doing well (living independently), and is over 40 years post bypass!

[Azy1 in reply to MichaelJH]

Hi thanks for replying i think it just makes it worse as i have been so independant and all of sudden a cant do anything and its so frustrating

[Clop123 in reply to Azy1]

Hi Azy1, sorry to hear of your situation. I too have been resting and doing nothing for a month and I agree, it is very frustrating. You have had some good advice, and I would like to add that you need to try talk to your family, explain how you feel and maybe add that being told what not to do can significantly add to your stress. But from their perspective, they have your best wishes in mind and want you to get better. Your anger and frustration are at the unfairness of your situation, and you can’t take it out on that so you are turning the feelings to what you can take them out on, those closest to you. I think talk is key here, for both you and your family.

[Frenchbulldogsx]

Hi I just joined today.

No heart attack is mild unfortunately. I have inherited heart disease from my dad and only found out when I suffered a heart attack at work. I had an angiogram which concluded that I needed a quadruple bypass! I thought at the time I'm 51 years old too young to die. I lead a healthy lifestyle I don't smoke or drink I exercise regularly. This cannot be happening. But I stayed in hospital until I could have the operation. I was so scared. I have been post op two and a half years. If you would like any advice I am happy to oblige. Unfortunately I suffered another heart attack whilst out walking my dogs 2 months ago. I have had another angiogram and now taking additional medication, I've been told that I don't need another operation. I know how you feel, a mixture of disbelief and anger. Try not to worry about things, we have to trust the cardiologist.

[Azy1 in reply to Frenchbulldogsx]

Hi thanks for the advice can you share your befre and after exp of the operation thanks

[Frenchbulldogsx in reply to Azy1]

Sure... Although seems like it happened to someone else now, so please close your eyes and remember that this will pass and soon you will be back to full fitness.....

So I was kept in hospital, actually transferred to Brighton for the cabg hence why I was on the list to be done ASAP I remember the night before being told to shower and I felt that I should shave, didn't want the surgeon thinking hairy biatch... I ended up dropping the razor not being able to pick it up, kicking it to one side and cutting the top of my toe. This gave the nurses something to pop a plaster on and I focused on this quite a bit, made me chuckle at my predicament.

So I was wheeled down to theatre and sat in like a que, taken into anaesthetic and the rest is unknown.... Apparently I bled out after closing my sternum so was opened up again to be sorted... My family were as you can imagine very worried as a morning turned into a day waiting and they were not told anything.

So I remember waking up in icu and feeling excruciating pain in my back, I had laid on the operating table all day and had a pre existing back condition that was now very much existing!

I remember hearing the nurses laughing and joking at another patient due to him amusing them coming round from anaesthetic, I just remembered thinking help me I'm in pain. One nurse said just push the button it's pain relief so I did. The next day I was unable to even lift my eye lids due to using all the morphine...

I was helped up and out of bed the next day and my family were surprised how quickly that this was done... The realisation that being left with a bowl and not being able to wash and looking at my damaged body actually made me cry.... A wound from my neck to below my breast bone, and thigh to ankle.... I forgot about vanity just wanted my life back.

So every day I got better and stronger my back pain was the worst part I don't remember any pain in my chest or leg. The catheter was taken out tbh I hadn't even noticed it... The drains were however annoying and dependent on who took them out, either easily removed or long winded and uncomfortable.

Once I could master the stairs I was apparently OK to be discharged homealthough when my son in law picked me up I was tearful as I was very afraid. I went home to my husband, where my daughter moved in for a month to help me.

Let me know if you would like another instalment regarding my rehab... As this has been quite cathartic reliving events.....

[Azy1 in reply to Frenchbulldogsx]

Hey that would prob be me aswell with the razor incident lol.....hw many days wer you in icu and did they keep you asleep or wer u oblivious to everything going on around you...my family are thinking of having a bed put dwnstairs for me do you think that be better

[Azy1 in reply to Azy1]

And yes pls if u cd poss share ur rehab experience id really appreciate if

[Frenchbulldogsx in reply to Azy1]

I was only in there overnight, I had the op on Friday and was home by wed.

I live on 3 floors and my bedroom is upstairs and kitchen downstairs. I climbed the stairs the first night home and had to call 999 as thought I was having a heart attack the paramedic told me I had overdone it and I should do things like stairs once and in stages. If they can move your bed downstairs then sure, but tbh exercise is a must, in small stages. My daughter supported me to go down to the kitchen and prepare meals. I did my rehab exercise sheet religiously and took small walks along corridor.

The worst part for me was not having a shower but my daughter washed my hair whilst gently bending back into a bowl its very e tricky when you can't move your upper torso. I have long hair and it was getting me down having unclean hair.

Don't overdo things even talking is tiring. It takes time but you will get there. I was only 51 years old so pretty fit and it was a challenge I work in rehab for people regaining their independence after hospital discharge, so I just listened to my own nagging 😊.

Let me know if you have any questions happy to give you my experience. ❤️

[Azy1 in reply to Frenchbulldogsx]

You wernt in long im surprised they discharged you so early but its good to know thst you hsve recovered well how long was it before you wer bk to how u wer before ur op...deyv sed iv gt chronic heart disease is that same as what you have got sometimes the drs use such big words its hard to understand iv been told its nit curable but the bypass is to give me a better quality of life and to prolong my life

[Frenchbulldogsx in reply to Azy1]

I was back to work on phased return 6 months later.

I have heart disease, not through lifestyle choices but mines genetics.

I had been back to normal apart from living with the effect of medication, until I had a heart attack walking my dogs 3 months ago so now I take more medication.

[Azy1 in reply to Frenchbulldogsx]

Mine is both through lifestyle and genetic as i have diabetes aswell n on both parents side of the family....oh i didnt know we could stil have heart attacks even after a bypass i know i was told i will have angina so basically we are a walking time bomb....omg this is just to much to take in

[Frenchbulldogsx in reply to Azy1]

I thought that I was fixed and according to experts more healthy than anyone that had not had a service and mot so to speak. So I am waiting for answers as to why I had another heart attack. But in answer to your comment I think everyone is a walking time bomb really... You can't predict. ❤️

[Azy1 in reply to Frenchbulldogsx]

Yes you are so right there...funny thing is at the moment i feel well in myself and sometimes think am i still poorly cause i dmt feel ill n den hey ho i walk a bit and im shattred but i do feel steonger in myself and i knw iv overdone it when my legs go all shaky one thing thou dat fesr is always lurking in back of my mind am i gna hsve another attack xx

[Azy1 in reply to Frenchbulldogsx]

Also when i wake up everyday i feel so angry

[Frenchbulldogsx in reply to Azy1]

Yes the why me scenario.... Try to think of something good in your life, and think positively... I know its hard but getting angry just raises your BP. ❤️

[Azy1 in reply to Frenchbulldogsx]

Hi sry iv nt been on here for a while... iv started getting out a bit more now and feel better than i originally felt got my pre op on the 5th n surgery on 11th just want it over and done with now so can get bk to living a normsl life i think im done with sll the rest iv had lol x

[Frenchbulldogsx in reply to Azy1]

Well good luck and all being well you will be home for Xmas... Relax.

I kept saying to the doctors that they had the wrong notes as I was feeling fine and had not been feeling fatigue.

Just goes to show that everyone is different, I remember that I had to go for a heart scan and was wheeled down in a wheelchair with a defibrillator on my lap the nurse said why isn't she laying down the nurse said this is what she's been like... Meaning on paper I should be poorly.

Everyone is different. Good luck. Positive thoughts.

[Azy1 in reply to Frenchbulldogsx]

Hi had my pre op on tues gt a call yest saying my iron is very low so gt to go for a tranfusion tmrw and mon is my op.. got told myt now need a double bypass and that heart disease will spread to the new arteries which will be grafted so another shock as i thot once the bypass is done id be rid of it for good xx

[Dickydon]

I suppose you have to say to family members and understandably concerned they are, that all the nagging and dos and dont's is not helping your situation and all parties need to take a deep breath and hold back, think before one says anything about the situation and is it necessary and will it cause further stress to an already stressful situation. I live on my own and have no immediate family anymore so zero stress from family point of view. Hopefully they'll lighten up a bit on you as they love you dearly and clearly do so; but all can benefit from the situation and the outcome of your surgery and recovery period.

[Sarahd56]

Hi there,

I'm 6 weeks post HA. No stents required, arteries all fine. My HA is stress related. I'm going through a love hate relationship with family, freinds and even the cat. I kid you not.Im blaming my workload on my situation. I work for NHS and it that caused my problems. I'm tearful, angry, cheeky to people I should not be cheeky to. Sometimes I hate the world. All this it's ok not to be ok... I go to cardiac rehab twice a week which helps me, meeting people and having a bit of a laugh. Like you, I cant stand being told I cant do some things. I'm very independent and it drives me crazy. Then my rational head kicks in and I take things easy. We are both lucky to be here, that's what I try to keep in mind. Hope you feel better soon.

[Azy1]

Thankyou everyone for all your advice i have spoken to the family and it has helped they have all backed down a bit i actually hsd to shout and say iv had enough im sick of being told what to do and i think it shocked them all.... now its just the wait for my op which is 11th Nov im quite scared snd have been reading up on it n trying to prepare myself can anyone share their before and after experiences eg do they keep you asleep in icu the pain recovery etc

[Oldearkie_83]

What kind of "angina"? That is a word that simply means pain. I have angina in various places: kidney, back, hernias, etc. Ask your doctor to be exactly specific as that is such a catch all word. Is he/she trying to scare you?

[Azy1 in reply to Oldearkie_83]

Angina referring to the heart. Im awaiting bypass surgery but have been told i will get angina attacks refferring to my heart...i always thought angins is only heart related and not kidneys etc