CABG and beyond: Hi all. I had a... - British Heart Fou...

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CABG and beyond

archiebun profile image
8 Replies

Hi all. I had a triple bypass 9 months ago and went very well. The last week or so though i've been getting a bit out of breath walking sometimes ( i walk fast). Nothing major and nothing like before my bypass, but it's got me worrying i have some blockage after 9 months, with good diet and exercise. Is this possible that you could clogged so quickly? Or am i just put of shape?

Many thanks.

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archiebun profile image
archiebun
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8 Replies
francesw47 profile image
francesw47

Perhaps a conversation with your GP, if only to put your mind at rest. The problem with slight alteration in physiology is the worrying that can accompany it rather than the changes themselves. You've obviously done all you can by way of lifestyle changes - and good on you - but the mind plays strange tricks when alerted to danger (no matter how imaginary) so if I were you I'd book a telephone consult with a GP and discuss with them.

CyclingTime profile image
CyclingTime

Had mine twelve months ago. I would suggest rather than speculate as it could be anything that you go and get checked out.

joygard1 profile image
joygard1

suggest you phone/email your cardiologist rather than guess, we all react differently after triple bypass so comparisons with our own experiences not really helpful

Mart25 profile image
Mart25

I had a bypass 2 years ago and I empathise with your worries. I am also a fast walker and (even after 2 years) I'm still super-sensitive to any apparent changes in my response to exercise and I readily imagine things going wrong. But a day when I feel a bit breathless is usually followed by a day when I'm not breathless and I have learnt to banish my worries. One thing that is perhaps not well explained is that the veins used for grafting don't respond to exercise as quickly as the original cardiac arteries - so setting off at a gentler pace initially is important for me, even now. After 5 minutes, I can pick up the pace and power-walk, and everything is OK. I doubt your bypass is getting clogged up after 9 months - but I think you would need an angiogram to get that checked out.

El-Tel1990 profile image
El-Tel1990 in reply to Mart25

2 years to the week since my 4xCABG and I agree with you on this. Went hill walking in 24C heat yesterday. It took at least 5 mins before I got into my stride. That’s why “warming up and warming down “ is so important. Thanks for sharing your experience.

MountainGoat52 profile image
MountainGoat52 in reply to Mart25

Yes, I was told that veins used for grafts need to "learn" how to be arteries and it can take time. My surgeon used an artery from my arm for my two of my three bypasses, using a vein from my leg to bypass the stent I had already had 11 months previous. All good and no issues since. I always warm up and wind down... basics impressed on you at rehab!

devonian186 profile image
devonian186

There is no doubt that like many pieces of machinery we work better when we 'warm up.' in this case it might mean 5 or 10 minutes of steadily increasing pace. The weather has a huge impact with low temperatures a big effect as is low cloud. As regards the breathlessness, obviously everyone's circumstances are different and if worried you need to check it out with your GP, but medication can cause breathlessness especially when combined with another factor-like low temperatures or rain.

In addition, very many people have had this cold that has been going round when any exertion has been an effort. It has taken me 3 weeks to get back to anything like normal after getting a cold a few days before Christmas. My wife has the same and we avoid any slopes at present unless it is a gentle one into a cafe!

Chappychap profile image
Chappychap

See your GP. There's almost certainly a simple explanation (for example it could easily be a nasty dry cough that's doing the rounds at the moment) but the hard fact is that a small percentage of bypass procedures do fail within the first year, so ask your GP for a referral and get it checked out. Even in this worse case a simple stenting procedure can sometimes fix things.

Good luck!

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