Compression stockings

[Scoobiedoobie]

My husband has been wearing his compression stocks for 7 weeks now after having had a triple heart bypass.They are driving him mad now and he wants to stop wearing them.

How long should they be worn for?

Appreciate any advice, please.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

I never wore any as having PAD the risks (blood clot in leg artery) outweighed any benefit. I there is no there is no other reason, such as oedema or non-diabetic leg ulcers, and he is walking a mile or more every day there is no reason to be wearing them. I suggest he rings his GP or cardiac team in the morning. I was prescribed iron tablets for three months (only) and not told. I had repeat prescriptions and side effects for a year until I queried it.

[BeKind28-]

Hello

Maybe we are all different but I think I wore mine for about 4 weeks after my Bypass surgery

If he is moving about personally I think he would be alright now they must be driving him crazy after 7 weeks

Hope the rest of his recovery is going well x

[Lowerfield_no_more]

Seems you are recommended to wear them until you are able to 'move around freely'.

nhs.uk/common-health-questi...

If you can't get hold of your cardio team or your GP the BHF Heart Helpline nurse should be able to advise

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

[Fastbike]

I put up with wearing them for six weeks as was recommended to me. Couldn't wait to get them off. What a relief !! Good luck. .

[Sljp0000]

I was told I could take my one off (yes, I only had one because of vein retrieval in left thigh) whilst still in hospital because I was moving around the ward. Big mistake. Ended up with a saddle pulmonary embolism. Nearly cost me my life. Having said that, 7 weeks is a very long time. As long as your husband is keeping active he would be fine to throw them in the bin I would think. Check with your local pharmacy or GP if you're unsure.

[devonian186]

When I had my quad no one even suggested compression stockings. Check with the pharmacist or GP surgery but provided he is able to move around they shouldn't still be needed

[CyclingTime]

I used to take mine off every night for sleeping and put them back on in the morning.

Wear them as long as the swelling needs it, there isn't a set time.

[Sljp0000 in reply to CyclingTime]

I would think its when you are sedentary in bed you would have needed them but not in the day when you were more active?

[CyclingTime in reply to Sljp0000]

No I don't believe so. When you are lying down your legs are semi elevated but when up during the day they aren't.

It's what the hospital told me to do anyway

[maggie80]

Hi, I had a quadruple bypass and a heart valve replacement 11th Nov'21, I never wore them at home.

[ForestryPine6]

I wear compression stocking but for lymphodema which stops the swelling and aids leg ulcers to which I ain't got a problem with, but different to your issue, they said to me that I can take off both legs at night but I leave them on as they are comfortable for my problem, obviously not yours, I wish you all the best and speak to GP or consultant

[MountainGoat52]

I was not issued with compression stockings, but I was very active and walking a mile a few days after I was discharged. They must base whether stockings are required or not on how active you are in hospital and the tests carried out by the physiotherapist before discharge.

[MountainGoat52]

I was not issued with compression stockings, but I was very active and walking a mile a few days after I was discharged. They must base whether stockings are required or not on how active you are in hospital and the tests carried out by the physiotherapist before discharge.

[Digger0]

I'd ask his cardiac nurse.

[Thanksnhs]

Hi after my op I only wore them during the day the nurse took them off at night. It was three weeks till I got discharged and I didn't have them coming home. Char

[Cee-Cee1]

Hi Scoobiedoobie - I'd a triple bypass in February last year, but nobody mentioned compression socks at all and I certainly wasn't sent home with any (I'm a skinny-minnie and very active though!). 😊 I was lucky enough to be able to be up and walking round in ICU just two days after the op and discharged 4/5 days after. If he's up walking and being relatively active again he should be okay but we're all different and there are different reasons for needing things. I'd give your GP a ring, and double-check if he can stop wearing them. They must be really annoying for him, they're horrible things even if they do help to avoid problems initially. Good Luck! Carol

[quirk13]

Drove me mad too. He's done better than me, I ditched them after 6 weeks

[Geoff51 Heart Star]

Although I have not had bypass surgery just 2 stents following a HA 13 years ago, I was prescribed compression stockings owing to swollen feet through retained water. I wore them daily for about 7 years and thought nothing of it, wearing socks on top of the stockings, apart from a little sweaty in the summer months I never found them uncomfortable. Annual doppler checks at the GP surgery were the only follow ups. After being prescribed dapagliflozin by my Cardiologist which is diuretic and removes sugar also I had no more problem with swollen feet and ankles so I stopped wearing them, long term wearing is easy once you get used to them.

[Scoobiedoobie]

He spoke to cardiologist today and was told he doesn't need to wear them now he is mobile. Thanks for all your replies and good health to you all.