Getting back to fitness following CABG

[Bergid65]

Triple bypass 9 weeks ago. Up until a few months before surgery and when I knew there was a problem, I was training everyday at the gym doing CrossFit etc. At the moment I am walking everyday 3-5 miles each day but am now itching to do more. My breathing is good when walking but not when going upstairs or an incline I’m not sure if this is just due to lack of fitness or other things which makes me a little wary. It would be good to hear of anyone’s experiences or advice. Many thanks.

[Gribbin]

You're at the same stage as me... possibly a bit fitter... and I'm few years younger.I started cardio rehab last week, and they were really good at helping to understand the rehab process, and setting us individual goals, target heart rate.

Have you started rehab yet, if not chase your local cardio team/hospital for a referral.

I did my first small hill on Saturday and was pleasantly surprised....couldn't get my heart rate up as I had to keep waiting for the dog🐶😅

I certainly pushed up my heart rate at the 1st rehab class, so a bit of breathlessness might not be too bad... they say you should still be able to hold a conversation, and remember to warm up and cool down... but your cardio rehab nurses should guide you.

All the best🤗

[Bergid65 in reply to Gribbin]

Thank you very helpful

[bagsypartime]

I'm 20wks post cabg2.Very similar to you.

At your stage i was very frustrated at getting out of breath on inclines and getting dizzy when i stood up.I thought i was worse off than before the op.

However i have to continued to improve.

I walk on a treadmill with an incline.I use weight machines in the gym.You lost a lot of muscle and need to get that back.

Two of the drugs they give are anti exercise and make it harder to get your heart rate up or get any adrenaline .

Rehab wasn't available for me but it try to be sensible.

I had/have a problem running.My LIMA now goes to my LAD- and i expect yours does too.And for me this flaps about when i run.I posted this and no one else gets this problem.I have bought a velcro strap device that fits round my chest and hope that this fixes it.

My running was never brilliant but i am keen.Pre op i could run 5mph for 30 min, i can't do this now.Hoping to get back there.

As mentioned earlier the drugs they give us make it hard to get the heart rate up andthere is no logic to our breathlessness on doing things that were a breeze pre op when we are supposed to be improved, but i think the idea is that we get there in the end.

[Bergid65 in reply to bagsypartime]

Thank you

[Carlg]

I am 1 year post triple bypass. The first few months are particularly frustrating when it comes to returning to fitness. Mind wants to do more.

I started with long walks similar to you. Then like suggested previously started cardio rehab. They was a great confidence builder. I started this roughly 8 to 10 weeks post surgery. At this point I started back at the gym. I started doing more low cardio and spin classes.

Weights and things like cross fit might be difficult due to the sternum recovery. You need to weight longer for the bone to fuse and then strengthen. I was told to keep chest weights in particular low for the 6 months then slowly slowly increase.

After my first round of rehab I was offered in the community. I opted for a 1:1 gym coaching sessions. This again helped build confidence I could do more etc.

After 6 months I returned to teaching group fitness and I am now more back to previous. Just still lower on weights etc.

I have always been told to keep a check on my heart rate and ensure good warm up and cool down and I should avoid long periods in the peak zone.

[Bergid65 in reply to Carlg]

That’s really helpful thank you.

[Survivor1952]

8 weeks post AVR and 1xCABG. 70 year old and nowhere near as fit as you but I'm walking 2 miles as my daily exercise. Slopes aren't normally an issue but some days I struggle to hit my target heart rate, others I'm way above with no discernable reason for the difference.

I had AF before discharge and as a result I am on an additional drug as well as the beta blocker. Both are intended to stabilise the heart rate and keep it down.

Start rehab classes tomorrow and looking forward to that.

[Bergid65 in reply to Survivor1952]

Thank you

[Chappychap]

Open heart surgery is very demanding on the lungs, which is why we have to demonstrate a certain level of lung capacity with a breathing test before we're cleared for the operation. As soon as the chest wall is breached the lungs collapse, and they remain collapsed for the six or seven hours of the operation. During this time our blood is oxygenated and pumped artificially with a heart/lung machine.

Fully reflating all the micro pockets of lung collapse is a big task. We're supposed to complete a minimum of five rounds of breathing/coughing exercises each day commencing as soon as we're discharged from hospital, plus we should walk each day building up to at least a mile eight weeks after discharge. You can find more information on the breathing exercises on these NHS websites,

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

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

The first couple of months after bypass surgery are pretty tough, but for most of us as long as we put the work in it'll be well worth it. I'm now five years post surgery and I'm fitter and stronger than I was twenty years ago. I wake every morning fizzing with vitality and I'm loving my new life.

Good luck!