Am i better or worse, or too early to tell?

[bagsypartime]

3wks post cabgx2 today.Healing well in sternum, never any pain since the op.The recovery is so boring though. In physical activity i walk 30min round house and up and down stairs AM and then in the afternoon early evening an hour or hour and half walk outside.

Physical symptoms I still have . . .if i sit down for a long time and suddenly stand up, such as a long car journey i can feel dizzy and light headed.If i go up a very steep incline on my walk i can become breathless.

On discharge they did say i had anaemia which could cause this.My worry is that this is now my new heart.If it is then the one i had before was a lot better.

Before the op my resting heart rate was 52, now its 70.I'm getting extra heart beats but i'm not getting extra power or better blood pressure.

Id like to run (jog) to see what happens but haven't had the courage yet (plus wife doesn't let me out of her sight).If it turns out i'm useless i shall be very annoyed because i certainly wasn't useless before the op.

All the cardios said what a boon this op would be.And everyone else said they must know what they are talking about.

[Chappychap]

Great that you're walking so much, but are you also doing your breathing exercises four or five times each day?

It's no surprise that you get out of breath. When the chest cavity is pierced during the operation our lungs collapse, and they remain collapsed for the duration of the operation. Fixing all the pockets of micro collapse afterwards is a long job. Which is why the breathing exercises and walks are so critical.

If you didn't get a leaflet on breathing exercises when you were discharged then read these.

kentcht.nhs.uk/cardiac-reha...

acprc.org.uk/Data/Publicati...

Three weeks isn't much by the way. Wait until you've completed your Cardio Rehab course before making a judgement on the effectiveness of your surgery, so more like three months than three weeks.

I'm nearly five years post bypass surgery and it was the best thing since sliced bread. I genuinely feel ten or twenty years younger, fitter and stronger than I've been in years. Keep up your walking/breathing exercises, and complete a root and branch review life-style review, and there's no reason why you won't feel the same.

Good luck!

[Prada47]

Hello the one line in your post that bothers me slightly is this " Id like to run (jog) to see what happens " Not advised until you have had a Rehab session.

As for the rest you haven't got a new heart you still have the old one but with better blood supply. Since my bypass I have had 2 lots of stents and my RCA is still 100% blocked BUT I feel reasonably well and do most things I want to. I have been sat here contemplating having a trip to Oz with my gran daughter for a final time so plenty to do yet. You will get better if you are mentally attuned we all still have to be careful don't take a Risk if you don't have to, what's the point ! I am nearly 76 and I an fortunate to be here after having the bypass and stents so just enjoy what you have.

Regards

[gilreid1]

hi It’s a slowly slowly approach I am afraid to get the best long term benefits. If you are offered rehab around six weeks take it that’s when you will feel the benefits. Listen to your cardio nurses. Please don’t be tempted to overdo it as it will set you back.

In around eight to ten weeks you will read your post and say what was I thinking.

Heart I would say is ok but always check with nurse or GP if your not comfortable with it.

Good luck it does get better.

[Hidden]

Dear You,

You are doing so well, don't spoil it { which believe me you can } until you are fully recovered.

A massive part of that recovery is rest, let the body heal.

Boring, yes, frustrating , yes, but its extremely important.

Do it right and you will have years ahead of you for your sports and life in general, do it wrong { easy to do by rushing } and the consequences are not worth thinking about.

This is from someone that went running to soon and ended face first in mud being rescued by a ninety five year old lady!

I was stupid and tried it so you don't have to.

Take care, we are fully behind you every step of the way { except if you run off ! Id never catch you }

[Hidden]

"3 weeks after a 70mph crash and having my chest crushed by the steering wheel, I still don't feel quite right" consider this saying now stolen, it will be used by me at every occasion that I can !