Heart scan

[Potter52]

Since having a double bypass and replaced aortic valve 3 years ago, I’ve had no follow-up scan to check if all is ok. I am sometimes getting a bit breathless. Is it normal not to have a follow-up scan or consultation?

[CyclingTime]

I haven't had any follow up scan since my quad bypass just a yearly check up at the doctor's

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

if your breathlessness has got worse, I would mention it to your GP.

My regular annual echos and Cardiology OP appointments stopped for three years, during Covid, and the GP dealt with my Cardio issues. Once, when the GP needed more advice/back-up, on meds changes, they contacted the Consultant themselves, and once it prompted a phone consultation.

[Nadeje]

Hi, I had my AVR 3 years ago, in July 2020 and didn't have any follow up.

[Potter52 in reply to Nadeje]

I don’t think that’s good enough Nadeje. I suppose if we were private patients, we would have had regular check-ups.

[Nadeje in reply to Potter52]

True, not good enough and re: paying for it...luckily I have no problems at the moment, except my scar which has gone keloid 2months after the op and hurts till now! Last August it went beserk, middle part of it( just between my boobs) it developed into a massive boil, really big and painful! I suspected it's either an alien( the first Alien movie , featuring a scene with John Hurt) or I'm going to be blessed with a third boob !!😆🤪Had to pop in to A&E, waiting till 2am and eventually ending up in a surgical ward overnight. Then a lot of discussions with various doctors, some thought it would be best to transfer me to the heart hospital where I had AVR, some wanted to lance it.

I was put on an antibiotic drip...I was worried about possible sepsis.

In the end I pleaded to let me go home(as the food was inedible there) and decided against against them cutting it for fear it would cause another keloid scar on top of the old one.

Furnished with antibiotics off home I went.

The alien burst in the night in my sleep, painlessly.

Sorry for banging on for so long! 🤪

Hope your breathlessness gets sorted! 🤞

Monica

[Potter52 in reply to Nadeje]

Thanks for giving me a good laugh 😂 At least I’m not in danger of developing a 3rd boob Monica! 🤗 I reckon I’m probably over sensitive to the breathlessness. I’m still walking a mile or two with my dog without much difficulty. It would just be good to get confirmation from the hospital that all is well.

[Nadeje in reply to Potter52]

Glad it made you laugh! Humour is necessary, especially these days.Good luck and enjoy your dog walks!

😊

Monica

[Potter52 in reply to Nadeje]

Thank you and good luck to you too! 😉

[Nadeje in reply to Potter52]

Hi again, just read your older posts, it seems to me you have had your op the same time as I did. Mine was scheduled for April 2020, then due to the 'unmentionable' was cancelled! After a while I was informed it will be carried out on 9th July. I was grateful for that obvs.

The very good Liverpool Broadgreen Heart and Chest Hospital was where I had it.

Unfortunately in the middle of pa *de*ic ( not sure if that word is allowed here!🤪🤔) I'm sure you get the idea...

I was not allowed visitors, but was home 5 days after op with no complications.

No rehab was possible of course! All help and instructions re: post op exercise done on phone, you must have been through the same procedure.

My new valve is from a cow btw!🤣

Is yours biological too? Not mechanical I guess due to your age...🤔

Have a lovely day!

Monica

[Potter52 in reply to Nadeje]

Hi Monica,

Sounds like we were treated more or less at the same time. Mine was done at Wythenshawe as I live in Sourh Cheshire and I also had a cow valve as well as a double bypass! I had a pain free heart attack while waiting for my Op-very breathless but no pain. Only hospital tests proved I’d had an attack. They kept me in for a few days for tests etc. My aftercare was exactly like yours-non-existent!

I generally feel fit but some breathlessness concerns me so I’ll have to get it checked out.

I’m probably just being paranoid.

How are you feeling now ?

Alan

[Nadeje in reply to Potter52]

Morning Alan!I hope you will get the breathlessness looked at asap. 🤔

I sometimes can't take a deep satisfying breath if you know what I mean...I'm sort of gasping, and have the urge to yawn, even that isn't possible, so I shallow pant like a dog for a bit, usually have to open a window and stick my head out, as I have a feeling I'm not getting oxygen in my lungs.

Luckily this doesn't happen too often.🤞

I don't think you're paranoid at all, it's frightening if you're unable to breathe!😵‍💫 It could be your medications causing it? 🤔

I don't know what meds you're on, probably same as me...

I take bisoprolol, atorvastatin, frusemide( to get rid of fluid), aspirin, thyroxine for my underactive thyroid and omeprazole for hiatus hernia.

After the op my bisoprolol was 10mg,

that was lowered to 5mg eventually.

It was making me breathless even after minimum exertion, ie: getting dressed in the morning, lacing up my trainers...I was ready to go back to bed each morning just after getting dressed! Walking outside was tiring, as if I'm wading through thick mud. Also I felt dizzy, like I'm going to faint! My BP is low naturally, bisoprolo makes it lower... I was scared that might have a fall.

From some posts here I learned that bisoprolol has these side effects...

I had it lowered to 3,75mg, stayed on that till last year...still not satisfactory, so 2,50mg it was until just two weeks ago. 🤔

That still made me tired, breathless when walking about( shopping, etc), I had to take breaks, sit down often and rest, catch my breath, or just stop walking! Very annoying!

And now I'm on 1,25 and feel much better.👏I feel more energetic, can breathe easier. Even started tai chi classes where they teach the correct breathing...👌👏alas! the fact that I don't have a clue what the lady instructor is going on about is a bit disconcerting! She speaks mostly Chinese...whether Mandarin or Cantonese is irrelevant as I don't speak neither!🤦‍♀️🤪🤣🤣🤣🤣

Taking Bisoprolol also made my weight go up.😢 I eat healthy , cook from fresh ingredince , don't eat crap , stopped alcohol, yet still the weight stays the same!😡🤬

I'm not fat , just bigger than I was about 10 years ago...👎🙄

Anyway, I'll shut up now and wish you a lovely day ! Apologies for going on , once I start, I don't know when to stop!😮🤪

Monica

[Sljp0000]

I think the assumption is that if you're not having any problems then all is fine. Unfortunately the NHS hasn't the funds or manpower to scan everyone who's had any kind of surgery. As you are getting some symptons now I would go to your GP and ask for a referral back to your hospital team for a check up All the best

Susie

[nursenancy53]

I'm 4 years over AVR and never had a follow up scan. I have been breathless since the op (not before!), GP told me it was because I didn't know how to breath properly!!!. Have given up asking now x

[Potter52 in reply to nursenancy53]

That’s incredible nursenancy. How dare you not breathe properly! 🤗

[nursenancy53 in reply to Potter52]

I know, maybe 69 years hasn't been long enough to practice 😅😅

[Potter52 in reply to nursenancy53]

Well I’ve had 70 years to practice so you should be fine in 12 months! 😁

[nursenancy53 in reply to Potter52]

Look forward to that lol