hello if you were symptomatic before having open heart surgery how long was it by the time you felt that you were no longer symptomatic?
Can it be immediate?
appreciate everyone is different and no two ohs outcomes will be the same even if the surgery was for the same condition. But I’m curious and wanted to ask as so many have had ohs here.
thanks
Hi Hidden
There is a group on Facebook (FB) which has a myocardial bridge (MB) support group. I’m providing the link for you down below as it’s really useful for all types of information MB related, plus people’s experiences pre and post unroofing surgery.
As it’s a private group, you will have to request to join it.
Hope it helps!
👍
The key thing to recognise is that open heart surgery is massively traumatic (I don't say that to alarm you, it's simply a fact) and therefore the reality of the operation itself completely overwhelms whatever symptoms you were likely to be experiencing.
For roughly four weeks post surgery you're almost an invalid, struggling to dress and bathe yourself. And you have to grit your teeth and dig deep in order to complete a simple daily walk of under a mile and finish your deep breathing exercises.
In other words for at least the first month you're far less physically capable than you were before your operation. At this time it's pretty difficult to tell if you're still symptomatic or not, because you're more focussed on dealing with the aftermath of the operation itself.
Then at about six or eight weeks you normally begin a Cardio Rehab course. At around this time the NHS guidelines say you're ready to return to a non-physical job. You're progressing with your convalescence, but in truth you're probably still not physically taxing yourself to the point where your symptoms might previously have been noticeable.
Finally at about twelve or fourteen weeks post surgery you've completed Cardio Rehab and the NHS guidelines are that most people can now return to even strenuous physical jobs. At this point I started to tackle much more vigorous activities, completing twenty, thirty then forty press-ups. walking five to ten miles at a brisk pace and climbing quite steep hills, carrying sacks of compost, etc.
These were activities that would previously have triggered my angina, but now they didn't.
So in answer to your question it was about three months post surgery that I realised I was no longer symptomatic. In fact from that point onwards things kept improving. I exercised hard and regularly, lost weight, ate better, and by six months post surgery I was feeling ten or twenty years younger. Fitter and stronger than I'd been since my late 30's or early 40's, waking up each morning with bags of energy and raring to tackle the day, going dancing with my wife and staying on the dance floor until the small hours.
It's a sense of vim and vigour that's remained unabated now for almost five years.
I wouldn't underestimate the risks and challenges of open heart surgery. But for me it was an absolutely transformational experience that's massively improved my quality of life.
Good luck!
thank you for the explanation. I’m pretty likely not to get surgery, my cardiologists (I have two on the go) say surgery won’t help me (I respect and trust their opinion) but they are awaiting surgeon’s opinion. The reason I asked is I’ve seen several accounts that post ohs for myocardial bridges they say they are immediately “cured” of their symptoms, could be true as artery released. if I sound sceptical it’s because I am a bit though. However, some cases may be robotic and that might account for the immediate relief.
If I was to get surgery then your explanation would be really helpful to me to understand how things might go. Hope others waiting for surgery see it 👍
Hi.I was told the sternum knitted back together by 12 weeks, but I still would never do push ups (mind its not something I would do anyway lol)! Basically doesn't that put undue stress on your sterum? Obviously not in your case. Well done.
I think it's a state of mind after ohs to be honest, you are obviously a very positive person.
Best wishes
Denise
oh ChappyChap we walked exactly the same recovery path. I’m 8 years on now and going strong. A sudden cardiac arrest last September gave me a bit of a set back and scare. But It was only a couple of steps backward, onwards and upwards again now.
I had open heart surgery to have a double bypass. Since the op I have had one episode of angina (under extreme extreme heat conditions!) and it’s been a year now. I’ve since had a scan which shows that only 5% of my heart will now get ischemia (a lack of blood) and that’s only when I’m under stress/exercise/extreme heat. A very successful op as before hand it was 95%!!
I don’t know what surgery your having but as a rule bypasses are very successful xx
If you have any questions at all you can always message me or we can chat on the phone x
oh maybe I should add here, that although open heart surgery is a hard op to recover from, it has absolutely changed my quality of life and I’m sooooooooo much happier now!! Just off to the gym (would have never been able to do that before!!) xxx
Was it immediate? Well as you feel that someone wiped the floor with you, probably not, but I remember quite soon after my op I went for a very short 5 min walk and although I found it hard there was no pain, where there would have been before 
so kind of immediate?! 😁
thank you for explains, I am reading everyone’s responses and I feel bad as I should have explained, my cardiologists repeatedly say surgery will not improve anything but have referred me to a surgeon to I guess rule it out more then rule it in.
Medication is not working (some repeated twice at different doses) and cardiologist thus week said there is no laid out path as to how to treat me it’s all trial and error but i am in pain soon after going from sitting to walking every day - yesterday the pain would not go when sitting either but went when I lay down.
I’m (and sorry if this is not the right way to feel) a little jealous that the chance of surgery was there for you all but if by some chance I get surgery I’m thankful for the advice and sharing of experiences and wish you well. ❤️
Ihad aerotic valve replaced and partial myectomy in December 2022, took me about six months to recover but i am 73
Hello you,
It is very difficult question to answer as the only ones that will are the members on here, we tend to forget how many other thousands of Open Heart Surgery's around the world are done.
When I look back I can honestly say that other than a few aches and pains I was an extremely fit man { most done with manual work topped up with a bit of sport etc }
I put the aches and bits and pieces down to age and having fought cancer for many years { which other than the months flat on my back never affected my life } long story short, bit out of breath tests etc etc and ended with a triple bypass/ pacemaker and a ejection fraction of 20-22 {still }
With all that done I feel worse than ever, I find it hard to do anything other than force myself to take my dog out, but force I do and the same with everything else I need to do.
I had/have no fear of aging just didn't expect it to be so fast like this.
I am still very pleased to be here, but it will take me time { if I have it } to adjust to my new life.
I really wished I ask more questions at the beginning of my journey without being pushed along it with fear and lack of knowledge .
Take care
wish it had been different for you and a more positive outcome but your also learning to live through it which is inspiring. I say this because surgery is unlikely to help me I am told and at present all meds to date haven’t worked and they admit there is no laid out path for treatment so trial and error. I’m in pain everyday and I guess pushing through is all there is.👍
I had a triple bypass age 31 now 77. I think when you find out the circumstances you really don’t have an option. I was very physically fit with a wife a 2 little girls and angina caused by hyper cholesterol anemia a family trait had caught up with me at a young age. My surgeon had told me at our first meet he would operate but I would not be rid of the problem. Of course I am not clear of the problem but with drugs I’ve survived nearly 46 years.I am actually applying to the Guinness Book of records as the longest surviving triple bypass patient, it’s in the melting pot at the moment.
I can still remember those first intrepid first steps out of the house wondering if the surgery will hold. Having been told to curtail all strenuous activity I built it back up again.More recently at 72 began playing walking football, basketball, pickle ball and quite strenuous bike riding.Plus a little golf. I really am amazed at my capabilities and to have reached this age. Don’t despair my op was in the early days yours is in more modern times with more awareness of the patients needs.
hope you make it into the record books., that is something indeed to celebrate!
I’m sorry I should have explained cardiologist saying surgery will not help ( or is available/ widely down) for my condition. But some people have said when they have had surgery (largely US) it’s brought immediate relief and I guess I’m sceptical a bit.
But surgeon hasn’t come back yet with an answer - I understand he’ll either feed back to cardiologist or might see me. I have to to trust their opinions ther isn’t anything else and meds aren’t working,
if by some miracle they say yes it’ll be a bypass but research indicates tends to fail.
Don’t mean to sound hopeless, it just is😊
Good morning. ..I think you will find many different replies to your question. I think the best thing to remember is that what the hospital tell you are guideline's to recovery. Everybody's journey after is different. Some people have a text book recovery and get over the surgery very quickly. Some people's healing and pain tolerance levels are also different so the time it takes after does vary quite a bit. The best thing is to follow the guidelines from the medical team with regard to exercise....what you can and can't do .... also don't expect too much of yourself. There are big steps forward and a few backward ones at times. Don't be stubborn....ask for help when you can't do things but stay positive and determined. It's not just your chest that recovers.....your while body has to get used to your new normal. It's the end result you need to aim for and for most people it's well worth the wait. X
thank you that’s coming across clearly but it given people a chance of a better life but not in all cases. I’m awaiting surgeon decision but cardiologist has said twice it won’t improve my symptoms and they are expert in my condition. I trust their opinion. I sound defeatist but am being realistic. BUT if my some miracle they say yes, I will be back to read these posts again with even more interest. Still a small part of me crossing fingers, hope springs eternal I think the saying goes!
I wish you all the best but remember....people on this forum are so understanding, helpful and supportive. Hope all goes well for you x
thank you ❤️
really depends on your age and the type of surgery you had but I agree with the person who wrote it is indeed a very traumatic event to go through for the whole body.
I’d say that for my 2 ops it took me around 6 months to feel normal and overall better than pre surgery.
The secret is take it easy, listen to your body but still become gradually more active and try to relax.
All the best!
Hi fishface 101
Physically I recovered without any complications after my ‘out of the blue’ triple heart bypass. I could walk 5 miles after 3 months. I amazed myself and all those who knew me. But a year later I suffered from low mood and did not feel myself. Not like me at all. I’m usually full of beans, enthusiastic and look forward to holidays etc. I was persuaded by friends to talk to a counsellor. I realised then what a trauma I had been through. Speaking to a counsellor was the best thing I’ve ever done.
So I would say to keep an eye on your mental health as open heart surgery is a massive operation. I didn’t have chance to absorb what was going to happen to me as my heart attack and bypass were so unexpected.
I hope this helps. ❤️
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