Did I miss something?: Hi 4 years since... - British Heart Fou...

British Heart Foundation

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Did I miss something?

Blackgreg profile image
10 Replies

Hi 4 years since I had a triple heart by pass at St Vincent’s hospital in Sydney Au. I had my stitches removed by a nurse at my local GP, in Au. I returned to the Uk. I saw a heart specialist who said all was fine. I have been to A&E on 3 occasions with chest pains but these were thankfully false alarms

I have not had a recovery plan to follow only a couple of booklets about what to do and not to do and not to do following surgery, I had not had a stress check until 18 months after surgery this was again done in Au I had returned after a year in the Uk. I am now back in the Uk and have seen the heart specialist once again and was told all fine

What recovery follow up have I missed in the 4 years?

I do feel ok, just wondering.

Greg

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Blackgreg
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080311 profile image
080311

Good morning Blackgreg,

Welcome to the forum, 4 years ago I had Aortic valve replaced and bypass, I had post op check with my surgeon at 6 weeks, saw my cardiologist at 6 months post op who discharged me back to the care of my GP.

I have a yearly review of meds and blood tests.

I do have a yearly echocardiogram to check the pressure my tissue valve is pushing out. But so far so good, it’s not anything to do with my bypass.

Welcome back to the UK,

Take care

Pauline

Blackgreg profile image
Blackgreg in reply to 080311

Hi thank you for your reply I have had an echo done in November in 2017 and I have seen the heart surgeon once a year.I am ok and coming up for 4 years since my operation 31st April. I do occasionally suffer chest pain but they are not heart related.

I was wondering what rehab I missed although it is a bit late now.

greg

080311 profile image
080311 in reply to Blackgreg

I did the cardio rehab at the hospital, it was 12 weeks and started 6 weeks after surgery. After completing that did another 12 weeks at the local sports centre where the instructor was cardio trained. But this was 2016-2017, my op was August of 2016.Pauline

Blackgreg profile image
Blackgreg in reply to 080311

Hi thanks for your reply, what is the cardio rehab? I was told I would do this but it never happened nor was I contacted about it either in Au or the Uk I guess I got lost in the system.

Greg

MONIREN profile image
MONIREN in reply to Blackgreg

Cardio rehab just structured exercise that is closely monitored by nurse, goes for 8 weeks plus instruction once a week on diet, emotions and other aspects. I think it's done on zoom now, not sure. Here in Australia you do it after every angiogram or heart episode. It's a pity you missed out on it. But my sister in Queensland who had triple bypass never did it, personal choice.

Blackgreg profile image
Blackgreg in reply to MONIREN

Hi thank you I thought I had missed something, too late now

thank you

Greg

080311 profile image
080311 in reply to Blackgreg

Really just building our stamina back, keeping an eye on blood pressure when there, starts out just a gentle exercise building it up. I live in Scotland and I had this twice a week on one session we had a talk given by maybe a pharmacist who discussed the drug we were on and possible side affects or one week someone came in to tell us what research was happening and what steps forward we could expect. My local hospital is a university hospital and is undertaking research into cardio just one of the fields they are doing, so we were lucky that the information was right up to date, a few people on the rehab were asked if they would take part in a few trials especially those on warfarin. We also had talks on diet and help with emotional problems after open heart surgery or heart attacks.I have said many times on the forum that doing the rehab I found really helpful as much for my mental health as for getting back my stamina. Because of the pandemic lots of people have missed out and that’s a real shame they have done the fitness on line but I found being around others who had been through what I had was invaluable.

Pauline

Chappychap profile image
Chappychap in reply to 080311

Here's a link to a booklet that UK hospitals give to patients discharged following open heart surgery. This one is from Guy's hospital, but they all cover similar ground,

guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/reso...

It's a shame you missed out on Cardio Rehab. Many people on this forum believe it was the most important part of their recovery. A key message is that atherosclerosis (heart disease) is incurable, your surgical intervention has bought you time and given you a second chance, but minimising the future progress of your heart disease is down to you and your GP. Firstly in optimising your medication, and secondly in optimising your life style. The Cardio Rehab course goes into detail on critical issues such as diet, exercise, stress management, weight, safe alcohol consumption, etc.

The good news is that the BHF (who run this site) offer an on-line version of Cardio Rehab.

In terms of ongoing patient care for heart attack/bypass patients, UK guidelines are for an annual check up with your GP or the practise nurse. You'll have blood tests, a basic ECG, you'll be weighed, your blood pressure is checked, and there's a general discussion about medication etc. Some patients feel they should be more closely monitored. In a better funded system perhaps, but it really goes back to the point that heart disease is incurable and the most valuable initiative is for the patient to improve their life style.

Good luck!

080311 profile image
080311 in reply to Chappychap

Morning Chappychap

Think you sent to me by mistake I got my cardio rehab, think you need to send to Blackgreg.

Pauline

Pollypuss profile image
Pollypuss

I’ve only had the 3 month post op assessment . I can’t remember having any stitches removed. You do get some strange post op discomfort like I had a bloated stomach sometimes and the odd pain . Had mine 18 months ago and am pretty fit now. Do you exercise ? Because this helps enormously both mentally and physically

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