psychological problems since heart bypass

[Lynss]

hi all, please can anyone offer me any advice on how best to support my 70yr old father following triple bypass surgery. He is having frequent nightmares and panic attacks following surgery. He has never suffered with his mental health before. Is this normal?what shall I do?how can I support him?

[Anon2023]

Hi. I’m so sorry that you and your father are experiencing this. Triple bypass surgery is a huge operation and I think the psychological impact can often be underestimated by the medical profession. It’s not unusual for heart patients to suffer from mental health problems and what your father is experiencing is a common occurrence. I know that doesn’t make it easier for you or him but at least you know that you aren’t alone. Perhaps the first step is to encourage him to speak with his gp and see what support is available. You can self refer to talking therapies and ring the British heart foundation nurses for advice. I’m sure other people on this forum will be along shortly to offer their support and advice. This is a great forum and I’ve found lots of very kind and knowledgeable people on it. Take care.

[Lynss in reply to Anon2023]

Thankyou so much for replying. I noticed you had sleep apnea? I'm lying awake just watching my dad and I'm sure he has this. His breathing stops and starts, especially when on his back. I'm driving myself crazy with worry x

[Anon2023 in reply to Lynss]

Hi. Your dads gp should be able to refer him for a sleep test. Mine was done at home and I needed to wear a monitor overnight. I have very mild sleep apnea. I think it’s a condition which is linked with heart problems although I don’t know the direction of causation. I’m hoping that if he had sleep apnea they would have picked this up before his surgery though. I know you must be very worried about your dad but there are lots of people who live long and full lives with heart problems. There’s no reason why your dad shouldn’t be one of them. It’s very hard for loved ones to cope with our diagnosis. I know that my husband was very worried when I had surgery but now that he can see that I’m ok his anxiety is slowly getting better. I hope that as your dad improves you will start to feel better too. You need to look after yourself too so maybe you should ask your own gp what support is available for you. You are going through a very difficult time and there is no shame in asking for help. Please try not to Google your dads condition. You will find all sorts of stuff online which is probably not relevant to your dad and is likely out of date. If you need information stick to more trusted sites like the British Heart Foundation and Pumping Marvellous. Take care.

[HumanZoomieMachine]

I think bad health when you get older can hit harder has with age you can get quite set in ways, narrowed in, or just any sort of upheaval and it's a shock and daunting when a long life if no issues suddenly.... My MIL had recently had b12, weight loss and liver issues starting to creep in at 71 due to Scottish roots but she struggled with the idea of ill health... My mum died at 45 so I guess my thoughts were you done alright being a light but lifetime smoker..

Interestingly, when I was hospitalised and 39 she was quite shocked that she didn't know or think about people dieing young...again my parents lost their first born to SIDS so a lot of it could just be inexperience of health problems...

Either way sometime a group support could help preshaps, there's a few around me that have similar ages and experiences and would be more than happy at least chat about what they went through..... Could even get him on here

:D. All the best

[22alfie]

Yes this is normal it's a massive shock and your always thinking if your going to get through this or are you going to have another heart attack and life is over. Your day will get through this in time as he starts to feel better. Remember slow and steady wins the race. Don't try and rush things. Rest when you need it and to much talking is exhausting!! 💞

[gilreid1]

I suffered from insomnia and bad dreams after my bypass. It’s worth talking to cardio team as in my case they gave me a mild sedated course of tablets. It’s a form ptsd. It will pass but you can get help.

[Blackcatsooty]

Dear Lynns

Welcome on board

Dads issues are common. Open heart surgery, strokes and long covid all need a lot of convalescing .

I concentrated on getting my sleeping pattern right. It has changed a lot. I spent months working at getting proper sleep. For me it’s retiring at 10pm and getting 7.5 hours sleep. I changed bedroom, changed mattress and changed bed covers. I tried sleeping with light on, this worked for me. Took months of solid effort.

To get off to sleep I bought a tinnitus relaxer.

My dreams were awful. Bad dreams, nightmares, night terrors. But by getting good sleep they eased away.

I am the man of the family, I never cried. Well I do now ,

And memory loss is so aggravating.

If Dad can grasp this, starting with memory loss, other recovery will fall in to place.

Dad could also get his diet right

And his daily exercise

But sleep is the priority.

Now you Lynn . You have two problems. Dads issues, maybe the same as me. But then your problem which is helping Dad. And that’s not easy. You must not take over Dads life. Just a little background help. Dad needs to help himself.

Bless you for doing your best for Dad

Sooty

[santisuk]

My terrifying dreams as a triple bypass patient at age 67 4 years ago completely disappeared when my nephew recounted my difficulties to his cardiologist friend. I was told that such experiences are quite common for bypass operation patients, Particularly those who have been taken into theatre while still conscious and have therefore absorbed some of the drama of the intimidating overhead operating equipment.

I didn't need to talk to the cardiac team about drugs that could help. The demons and terrifying mechanical whirling and flashing bugs stopped chasing me while I slept from that day on.

Strange that these types of experience are not warned about in the literature and specialists' briefing at pre-op