Hi all I’ve been for a stress test today on the treadmill and the same happened as it did the other day when I tried to go for my first hill walk on the local hills by us. I started off fine but as the gradient increased my heart rate obviously increased but the rate wasn’t massive around 110 the problem is my heart is really pounding out of my chest you can really feel the thud and hear it in your head, I completed the test and all the numbers seemed ok. The other day on my walk I stopped after a couple of hundred yard, I 8 weeks post op I’d be ok but I got worried.
I’m just wondering if it’s because I had a quadruple bypass is it because there is now 4 new pits of pipe that are out side of my heart so you can feel it more? I know one thing my chest is painful tonight not only did I push it on the treadmill it was a hours drive there and an hours drive back, up till now I’ve only done 15 minute drive😥😥
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Jako999
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I had a triple 22 years ago, it’s common to think you feel me more or can’t feel anything.
The fitter you become the less you’ll worry, if your heart rate is within normal range for the activity I’d take comfort from that.
It took me 6 months to run a mile in 7 minutes, had set backs along the way but I listened to my body when I couldn’t physically do something I changed what I did or reduced the intensity.
If you haven’t got a smart watch I’d get one, I use it to manage my heart rate during activity and also to watch how quickly I recover from it which I personally find helpful.
It takes time so don’t expect too much too soon, do what you can when you can.
Hi Jako - we do seem to have very different bodies following CABG , they take some getting to know ! Admittedly I had one by pass , it’s been a case of lots of reassurance and encouragement for me as I’ve tried to get fitter - every little pain , twitch etc has been hard to ignore ! I guess I would ring the cardiac nurses BHF for some advice today , I’ve found them invaluable must be fed up of my voice ! Hope you get some help today , best wishes
Hi Jako999, I think you might be a tad optimistic to think you can do so much after only 8 weeks, I'm not even sure you should be dricing, but I can't remember what/when they said it was OK.
As for feeling and hearing your heart, you probably did before your op, but because you didn't know anything was wrong, you ignored it.
Keep up the good work, keep an eye on it and hopefully you will soon be feeling much better than you were before the bypass 👍
It’s very early eight weeks since your bypass and I would say your on schedule if not ahead off. My only concern for you would be that you are driving. I was advised not to drive for 12/16 weeks to allow the sternum to heal. Please be careful and small steps are better.
I thought it was a bit early but I saw my surgeon a couple of weeks ago and he sail as of last Friday which was the 8 week point I could drive, which was great news I’ve only really done a couple of very short drives but then yesterday I had to go for this stress test at the hospital which in traffic took an hour each way I didn’t realise how hard and painful it was going to be.Thanks
My heart took some time to settle down after my bypass op. My wife used to complain that she could hear it when we were in bed. I did feel some thumping after exercise, but these issues gradually went away and I was back to where I was before the op after maybe six months.... it's hard to recall exactly when. Now it's my wife who has the laboured breathing and pounding heart when we climb hills, so much so I am trying to persuade her to get herself checked out.
Do you know if your surgeon closed your pericardium after the bypass? That might affect how you hear your heart. I think mine was left open, but I can't be sure. From what I understand, the practice seems to vary.
I think it might be down to the individual surgeon.... or what is protocol at a particular hospital. I tried to find out from the hospital's published information, but could not find anything. It's irrelevant now though as all is fine.
I had CABG x4 in Feb '21. I think we all become a little hypersensitive post-op and pick up on things that previously we wouldn't even have noticed. Having said that, it sounds like you might be doing too much too soon. I was told no driving for 3 months to allow the sternum to heal. As always though, if you're concerned you should speak to your GP, Cardiologist or the BHF nurses. Good luck.
I had a CABG x 4 in Feb 2020 but due to COVID no Cardiac Rehab until nearly two years later. I exercised and followed exercise videos but got frustrated I couldn’t do more. When I got to Cardiac Rehab it didn’t take long for the Specialist Nurse/Physio to spot that my beta blocker was blunting or limiting my heart rate do when I reached a point exercising My heart rate couldn’t rise to give me the extra capacity I needed. Coming off beta blockers sorted it. Perhaps ask your GP?
Prior to this bombshell I was fairly fit, hiking, mountain biking and so on. All I ever had was pins and needles in my left shoulder when I was really pushing it hard. They said it was because I was so fit I’d managed to stay alive.Thanks
Hi JakoIt takes time (I'm 3 & 1/2 yrs after a CABG x 4) even at tis point I still get my mind playing tricks with me and the odd twinge which sets me off wondering - (is this it!!). I @59 yrs when i had my op wasn't anywhere near as fit as yourself so you've given yourself a good head-start. Just take it easy and follow the rehab, maybe try not to expect too much too soon. I was only just about doing about 1 mile daily walking and only really short "nervous" drives after 10-12 weeks. The body has been through a major trauma (being cracked open) and needs time to accept what's gone on and to get used to the new pipework layout (so to speak). Hope you manage to get your mind round things and have a full and speedy recovery and long healthy life. Take Care.
Hey Jako, I had my CABG back in Jan and your heart does seem to feel different afterwards but I think it’s just healing. Mine has calmed down now and I’m much less aware of it. You’ll slowly notice your heart less.
Don’t worry, my surgeon told me I was ready to drive at 6 weeks as I was recovering well and so I did. Completely over did it and suffered accordingly, so your not the only one!
At 8 weeks post op I was the same as you, wanting to get our and about walking which I did and it felt good but be kind to yourself, it really hasn’t been very long at all xx in another month you’ll have the energy and the ability to go much further, just build up to it and listen to your body xx
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