Hi all I’m now 2 weeks post quadruple bypass and doing ok all considering still got lots of pain and getting tired but that’s to be understood.
I am starting to go for small walks out side of the house more for a mental thing then anything else, I’m not going far around 50yrds and resting but the question is how far should I be doing at this stage or in the weeks to come? I feel ok just warn out but obviously I don’t want to do to much to soon.
Thanks
Hello Jako, ideally you should be a bit further on with your walking by now. If you've tried and really can't manage it then okay, but you're a fair bit younger than the average CABG patient (68 is the average) so if anything you should be ahead of the game.
The first week is for pottering about the house and garden, by the second week you should be aiming for 10-15 minutes outside walking at least once a day and preferably twice a day. In addition you should be completing your breathing/coughing/huffing exercises at least five times per day.
All this is contained in these patient notes for open heart surgery patients,
lhch.nhs.uk/media/1099/card...
I was also told that after four weeks I should be completing a one mile daily walk in about 30 minutes. That fits as we'd normally expect to be attending Cardio Rehab anytime from four to six weeks post surgery, and we'd want to be up to this level of activity in order two get the most from the Cardio Rehab exercise sessions.
Good luck!
Thanks I’ll push it a bit more I’m sure I can I just don’t want to over do it even though I feel I can.Thanks again
Hi - I started with street lamp posts , going to the first on my road on day one at home , 2nd one day two etc I had company for 10 days as my confidence was low , worrying that I wouldn’t get back home if I went too far - little by little , daily , I increased the distance with no problems , but took me weeks to not worry - by week 3 I was able to walk well and started slopes - all went well so I started pushing myself and soon found myself walking the target of 3 miles and more , and really enjoying it . I bought new walking trainers as my feet ached . This was all done alongside the breathing exercises and pottering often round my small garden , just getting moving. I found YouTube videos on exercise in the house for seniors and dipped into some - as I found sitting and being in bed initially quite uncomfortable I preferred to do things in the house to keep moving , little and often . 4 months later now I walked 8 miles last week with no real problems - felt tired mid way so we had long lunch break. I’m aiming to do more uphills now . Set yourself targets for each couple of days , accept some days will be more difficult . I’ll add that I never really experienced pain as such , more discomfort , and wonder if it’s worth speaking to GP about pain management - I was still using oramorphine week 2 but reducing dosage. Best wishes.
Hi, I'm 3 years on from OHS for a new valve so can't remember details but your body will soon tell you if you overdo it. Make sure you take it easy but steadily increase the distance. I was 49 at the time. Good luck.
Andy
Sounds like you're not doing too badly Jako.My husband started walking up and down our road at 8 days post quad bypass. When he ventured further on day 11, I went with him!!! I think he got to about a mile a day by week 3.
At 5 weeks, he was trying out long and small slopes in our local park. The only thing he said was "blimey, I'm not out of breath" and then we tackled bigger slopes!
I think we're all different though. Hubby was 67 when he had his bypass and that was 4 years ago. He's got a new lease of life and you will too.
All the very best. Jan xxx
It's pice of string territory, by week two after my quad I was doing three 200 meter out and back walk's a day.Others haven't made it out of the house,we are all different you should however try to push through the pain, excersise is a vital part of recovery and it's going to be a big part of the rest of your life,at least if you want to make the most of your second chance.
We aren't 'cured' we are being given a second chance the knife wielding man fixes the damaged bits,we then have to maintain his good work, and that takes work, every step you take improves your long term health, and as a result your quality of life.
The pain is a major issue,we have bodies saying don't move because it hurts our instinct is find somewhere comfortable and rest and hope that it's going to stop, but ironically excersise actually helps with the healing process.
As I said it's pice of string territory, but possibly you need to unroll it a bit more.
The are loads of us on here who have been were you are now, I got home one year ago today, I am now back in work and I am a builder,push a bit harder it's worth it.
Good luck and a fast recovery to you.
Hi JakoI had the comfort of someone to accompany me on the first few weeks until I felt safe enough to venture out on my own but similarly to puffin mentioned I also used lamp posts to measure my journey each day and aimed for "at least" the next one the day after. some days I was well ahead and others my body seemed to tell me "enough for today lets head back". You'll soon find that your body is great for feedback and telling you when its ok and when its maybe not. Just remember its not a race we all take our own pace so long as we keep it up on a regular basis. Wishing you good fortune for a speedy recovery and to the next stage in a full life.
I had the same operation as yourself in January. You can basically walk as far as you feel comfortable. I used Strava to measure the distance and I could see how I was improving.
Within a few weeks I was walking miles so just build it up. Initially I started with two walks one in the morning and one afternoon
Thank you all so much I’ve been further today in the rain with a bit of pain but I think I need to push it a bit more I think the biggest prob is my mind saying no it’s a bit scary and my wife can’t walk to far as she has Spina bifida
No question it's tougher when you're on your own, especially if the weather doesn't play ball.
One tip I was given for walking in bad weather is to go to a large shopping centre and exercise there under cover, great plan but it would probably require someone to drive you there.
Congratulations on today's achievement!
not a reply as such but a question my partner is 2 weeks post single bypass my question is like yours the walking where we live after the end of our road there is a hill in either direction both steep would he be able to get back up okay if we got down
I’ve learnt just go a few steps at a time then stop if that was fine next time just go a bit further👍
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