Anxiety

[Michael42]

I’m new to this forum, can anyone relate to having anxiety after their open heart surgery,.....I had a aortic value replacement 9 weeks ago and at the moment the only thing holding me back is this feeling in my stomach, I’m not eating, because I don’t feel like it, and my heart seems on occasion to be fluttering ....I think I need to talk to someone, but every thing seems to takes weeks to organise ......I am making myself go out .if only around the block as I’ve stated driving again but the feeling is always there.....

[Isobel1]

Hello , I had an aortic valve replaced 1O weeks ago . If you're getting heart flutters you should ring your GP , just to have a check.

[Hidden]

Hi,I hsvnt had a valve replacement, but I've had a stent. Do you have a cardio rehab nurse you could speak to? Perhaps a call to your gp may be a good idea? Just to put your mind at ease. Good luck.

[080311]

Hello Michael42

Welcome to the forum, 9 weeks is still early days but any unusual symptoms need to be investigated. This flutter is it like when we get scared? Have you had your post op check up if not phone your surgeons secretary and leave a message with her. If you have been discharged from your surgeon and are still under your cardiologist same thing phone his/her secretary and ask for a message to be passed on.

Not feeling like eating can have a lot to do with the high dose of anesthetiser and the cocktail of drugs we are given. Again something to be discussed with your medical team.

I really hope you can get a handle on what is going on, not eating properly will hinder your recovery.

Best wishes Pauline

[Hidden]

Hi Michael42

I agree with Pauline.

That’s great advice.

I had AVR at the end of January this year. That fluttering is something I recognize too. My question to myself was, am I anxious or does the fluttering feel like anxiety?

I did get checked out by a nurse in the end.

We are told that when a surgeon has handled your heart it does behave differently for a while. It’s still settling down, and mine did. Get checked out if you are still worried.

Hope it settles down soon. Take care

❤️Maisie❤️

[Shar28]

Hi Michael. My husband had his AVR 3.5 years ago now. It’s a big thing, “ routine but major” as the medics say. It takes quite a while to settle down, physically and mentally and 9 weeks is still early days. The suggestions above about talking to your surgeon/cardiologist/GP/ heart nurse are all good. If you can’t get through to anyone or have to wait for a response, the BHF nurses are fantastic. Their helpline number is 0300 330 3311 9am to 5pm weekday.