Life after a CABG at 34...what does the long road look like?

[MarmiteB]

Hey guys,

So I had 2x CABG back in Jan, I'm 34, BMI 23, no family history, no life style factors. Very long story short, they aren't really sure why my LAD and RCA were diseased/occuled... a bit of arteriosclerosis, a bit of vasculitis from a previous viral illness...just your average medical mystery lol.

Before recently I felt like I had made a full recovery (running etc.) and I have booked serval holidays to celebrate my newly plumbed heart!

I was in Milan last weekend and it was VERY VERY hot (40C). We had been in an incredibly hot boat (it must have been 50C as the air con had broken!!) and then had to speed walk to the station, including a big set of stairs...think Rocky. I got mild angina by the middle of the stairs and it was a shock. I’m sure it was angina but it hasn’t happened since the op so I'm doubting myself, plus I don't want to think it could be back.

I'm thinking two things now...

1. "This is just not the end of my journey..." I have seen articles where patients go on to have further stents, 2nd and 3rd bypasses, heart failure etc. What have your experiences been? I appreciate that I am likley to be one of the youngest people on here having had a CABG but I'd be grateful to know what your experiences have been. If you went on to have stents fitted, why were they fitted? Was it because the graft narrowed/failed or was there further damage due to arteriosclerosis in your other coronary arteries? My cholesterol was 7.5 (a high HDL) and is now 3.2 thanks to statins and cholesterol binders so hopefully arterisclerosis could be a thing of the past?

2. "Should I go and get therapy?"... If I put in some coping mechanisms now it could stand me in good stead for future issues? Is it a waste if 90% of the time I'm totally OK with what has happened? I'm still in the camp of "having heart surgery isn't really that bad" so it's not trauma from the surgery/recovery it's the not knowing of what is to come that scares me.

Thank you in advance for any pearls of wisdom xx

[ClaydonAR]

Hello MarmiteB,

Firstly, I am sorry to hear that you had to have a CABG at such a young age. I had a Quintuple Bypass surgery when I was 33. I am 36 now. It was a shock, as even you might have to experienced.

I cannot help you with your first question because I haven’t yet had any need for any further interventions post surgery and I hope that I NEVER need one. Having said that, I must say that it took me over 2 years to come to terms with everything, physically as well as mentally. I have just started to feel good in myself again.

Obviously what’s been going on for the past 2 years hasn’t helped. Having such a massive procedure at such a young age shot my anxiety levels through the roof. I started having therapy end of last year and that has certainly helped. So I will definitely recommend you to start one and when you are feeling well would be a good time to start the therapy. You might not see instant benefit but you got to stay consistent. Also, being active and being involved in an exercise regime would also certainly help.

Don’t hesitate to send me a message if you need any further help.

Take care

[MarmiteB in reply to ClaydonAR]

That's mad, I can't believe you had such a massive event so young, I have to say my eyes widened when I read it- you beat me 🤣🤣

But it's so great to hear that you are feeling better in yourself and I hope you continue to do so xx

[MarmiteB in reply to MarmiteB]

Oh and thanks for the offer being there at the end of a message! x

[Heyjude31]

Hi MarmiteB

Welcome to the forum. I am very sorry you had to go through the CABG at such a young age. I am 63 and had a CABG x 4 11 months ago. I have found the physical recovery much easier than the mental part.

I would certainly concur with what ClaydonAR has said. I am currently seeing a therapist to help me. I am sure it will help it will just take a bit longer than I imagined,I wish you a continued great recovery. Take care, Judi

[MarmiteB in reply to Heyjude31]

Thank you Judi x

[Jako999]

Well I’m relatively new to all this having my Quadruple only 6 weeks ago and having my 55 birthday in the same week I’m still recovering physically but what I have read time and time again is the physical part is the easy bit it’s the mental side everyone suffers we me included and the sooner you start to talk to a councillor the better. You are only young but the big thing is no matter what age we are it’s a massive shock for us all so don’t be to proud to ask for help, I’ve never had mental health problems, I’ve always been strong and never spoken to anyone but believe me I need to now I’ve had one session so far so it’s early days.Good luck on your journey.

[Heyjude31 in reply to Jako999]

Hi Jako999, I am so glad you are having some counselling. There is a saying that ‘only the strong admit they need help’. I am now nearly 11 months in and I am seeing a counsellor after realising I needed help. As you say the physical side seems to be relatively easy it is the mental side for so many people that is the hardest. I can remember my Cardiologist saying that some people find it hard to leave their home after heart surgery and I think that is very sad. I hope that we never feel like that. I wish you all the very best with your counselling and your continuing recovery. Take good care, Judi

[shopman]

If it helps, I had my first HA when I was 44 and a 4 x CABG some 14 months later. I am now 68 and still here if creaking at the gate a little. When I had my bypass done I was told average time before further intervention was 7 years or so, it was actually 16 years before I had to seek help and have had several stents since.

I still work even though I do most of it from home now, my staff are very good and keep me up to speed with what goes on. Best advice I can give is don't give up and get involved with your own treatment rather than just accept it. I look upon the hospital - Freeman in Newcastle - as my second home and find the staff there explain everything to me.

I would agree the most difficult part of it all is the mental aspect and honestly believe this should be dealt with much better. This Forum is a grand place for talking to others who may have been in a similar position.

[Hidden in reply to shopman]

I agree with your last statement. The mental side of all this is the most complex side to all of this. The medical side to heart operations, tests and equipment have come along way. And is improving all the time. But the mental side is a long way behind. For me the hardest part of my experience so far is to except my heart issue. I have many feeling running through my head. The worst is the feeling that iam broken. Like a broken toy. Even though my heart issue, I have had since birth and is part of me and that makes me me. But these mental thoughts and issues I wish on no one. I don't really know the answer. I have therapy and talk to people. And it is one reason I signed up to this forum which does help. But the only thing I can say is to look at the positive and enjoy life, appreciate what you have. But you are as a person entitled to have off days and worries. The skill is to try and not make these issues rule your life.

[MiketheScouse in reply to Hidden]

Hi,

I have only just joined this forum yesterday so was scrolling through the post aimlessly. I was struck by the words you used to describe the mental side of trying to recover. I remember struggling to find the right words to describe why I didn’t just feel elated all the time at surviving a heart attack. The words I eventually used echoed yours. I remember tearing up in the eyes and saying “I feel….. broken”.

It brought tears to my eyes again to see those words in your post and I know exactly how you felt when you wrote them. I hope you’re feeling better about things and that such thoughts will eventually drift into the recesses of our minds as we continue to move forward and gain confidence.

I’m not sure how many people understand what it’s like but I wanted you to know that I’m one of them.

Take care

Mike

[Hidden in reply to MiketheScouse]

Thank you. It is hard. To try and stay positive. I do wonder what I could have achieved if I had a normal heart? But what is a normal heart?. The amount of people who are fit and end up with a problem. That is what has struck me since being on this forum. And the age differences. From young through to old. Will I get there? I don't know. It hits me regularly. The hard part is to except it. Had it all my life and it is stable according to the experts. I have just got to try to move forward. Now on medication which hopefully will control it and help it. Will be checked regularly which is a safety net and I will try my best to aid my heart with things I can do. But it does knock your confidence. Mentally I am still up and down. Confidence has been knocked. But like therapist says you take small steps to push and test yourself again. Find you limitations and then re group and try again later to go further. But I would not wish this on any one. Horrible.

[MiketheScouse in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your reply. I didn’t really know what to expect after commenting on an older post but I’m glad to hear you’re doing OK. 🙂👍

[Hidden in reply to MiketheScouse]

Cheers. Yes doing OK. You take care as well. As the old monty python song goes Always look on the bright side of life.

[MarmiteB in reply to shopman]

hey! Thank you for your reply

Do you know why did you need further stents? xx

[MarmiteB in reply to shopman]

This is great to read Mr Shop! Do you know why you had further stents? That's what I am interested in

[goldenbay]

Hi MarmiteB,I was 35 when I had a 2 x CABG and that was 21 years ago. At the time everyone commented on how young I was. My dad had heart problems in his 40s so I assumed it was hereditary. I then needed a stent 5 years later. I blamed the surgeon’s stitching but unsure why. I was treated privately as my husband had BUPA . At the time I didn’t question much and at that time there was less advice around. I’ve had various issues since then and see a cardiologist yearly . I have a sub aortic membrane which I’ve probably had all my life but which had never been picked up. My CABG and stent remain patent but I’ve recently been diagnosed with micro vascular disease. I’ve survived 21 years, living a normal life, taking my medication and being aware of any issues that may arise and then seek help.

Nobody knows what is around the corner. Enjoy your life, don’t expect too much of yourself.

[MarmiteB in reply to goldenbay]

Hey, thank you for your reply. It was really reassuring! Why did you need your stent? Did the graph fail? And do you know why you now have micro vascular disease? Is it a life style thing or do you think it is inherited? Sorry for all the questions lol!!

[goldenbay in reply to MarmiteB]

Grafts are all patent. Unsure why I needed the stent but believe it was where original occlusion was. I think that the micro vascular issue has always been there but never identified until now. There’s been so many new advances in the last 20 years. Probably due to all sorts of things, lifestyle and hereditary included. Who knows, I just deal with it and live the best life possible.

[pasigal]

First of all, I'm sorry you had to go through this at such a young age. I was 52 when my issues (similar to yours, plus an extra cardiac arrest thrown in for good measure...) but it was still a shock. The mental part is very, very hard, even with counseling. Not a day goes by (or even an a hour, to be honest) when I don't think about my heart. Which can easily lead to spiraling down into anxiety/panic when I don't feel "perfect."

Regular exercise definitely improves my mental state but there are days when I just feel lethargic and can barely drag myself out of bed, or I have an early work commitment. Just keep on keeping on is my motto...

[MarmiteB in reply to pasigal]

I'm sorry you get anxiety about it all, I totally understand why but you're right about exercise. I walk my dog daily and I was running but I have recently stopped again. Part laziness, part new job, part fear...mostly laziness I think though lol! I need to get back in to it because it does really help.

[wischo]

Firstly you are worrying about a possible single angina event which was probably not angina at all. Secondly if you needed stents in the future they are very quick and easy to do and going that far ahead with the way medical science is improving its bound to be even simpler and better by then. Too many people delve into the internet and every article they can read and end up terrorising themselves. You were indeed very young to have had this procedure but the good side is it is now fixed. At your age go out there and enjoy your life and try to put this past you.

[devonian186]

James lovelock has just died at the age of 103. He had a very active and full life. Few know he had a serious heart attack at 56 nor that he had a pacemaker fitted eventually.

So whilst circumstances obviously vary enormously between individuals, life can go on in an enhanced manner for many after a HA and it is often no barrier to living a long and healthy life.

Those who DON'T know they have heart problems are more likely to have serious consequences than those who are medicating or have had surgery

[MarmiteB in reply to devonian186]

Your right about being grateful that I know about it. I was planning on getting pregnant before I was diagnosed and that would have potentially killed me!