1 Year on

[cjbroon]

1 year on from my first Open Heart Surgery, 2nd was 11 days later. I've now made a really good recovery. However is it just me or does anyone else find that their consentration levels aren't what they were, and find themselves getting a bit agitated for no reason at all. Before the ops I could do a fair bit of reading and was generally quite laid back and relaxed. I just find myself getting agitated now and I can't pinpoint a reason why. Maybe it's nothing to do with the surgery and possibly to do with medication or neither, but you never know. Just wondering if anyone has had similar experience.

[Seal59]

My husband has definitely been different since his open heart surgery . He is normally very placid but can now get agitated quite easily. I put it down to tablets.

[Maisie2014]

I think it’s more than the tablets. I’m 14 months post HA and stent and only just getting back to normal but now have Covid-19 to worry about. My husband says I’ve been awful ever since my heart attack but recognises I’m back to being me. It’ll take time. Being stuck in the house together helps for me as I don’t feel so helpless just safe. I can’t see my family so miss them terribly but I want them to be safe too. My daughter’s nursing Covid patients now so I feel my worries don’t compare any more. Take care you’ll get there.

[Munkyboy]

I'm only 6 weeks out of mine but have same issues. Especially with the current situation. Last year pre-op I had a lot of things weighing on my mind not only the fact I needed a valve replacement . One thing that helped me settle then and now is some mindfulness practice. Also helped with my focus and get me back to feeling like me. There are some really good resources out there and some good books which go through the neuroscience behind it all. Let me know if you want some pointers.

[starchild8862]

Hi CJ. I was surprised that it took so long (2 years in my case) to get oveer the knock to my confidence that my heart operation/condition caused. Some days I was very nervous, low, knowing I could no longer take my usual good body for granted. It shakes you up mentally. It will pass gradually. If it helps I am now ten years on from my opertion and life is pretty good. So, I have to take a couple of pills, we are the lucky ones!