I had my third open heart surgery two weeks ago. I have noticed positive change to my health already but I have also noticed lack of interest and concentration.
I have brain fog, forgetting to do things or hold a conversation for a significant period of time.
Has anyone else experienced this?
Oh my goodness! You are so brave! I’m still getting over my first op from 8 months ago! 3 times. Hats off to you. I really don’t think I could go through that again.
Yes, I definitely suffer with brain fog now. It’s a known side effect of Warfarin. (I have a mechanical mitral valve). I would def have a chat with your Cardiologist / Surgeon though and discuss with them.
Hope your recovery progresses well. ❤️🩹
Thankyou very much, I hope you are continuing to recover well, from your previous surgery.
I will mention this to my consultant when I have my six week review next month, I feel ok somedays but other days I can’t concentrate and feel like I’m present in the room but not fully listening or understanding conversations.
My scar has also opened up about and appears yellow, again I am going to my Gp tomorrow.
Sorry to hear this. You must try and rest up until your scar has healed over. The temptation is to do too much. I hope you get on ok today. Take care.
Thankyou
I have been to the Drs and had my scar cleaned and dressed which is a good, I am glad I went I didn’t want to waste their time if it wasn’t anything but turned out to be infected.
Oh No! You poor thing - like you haven’t enough to contend with! Please don’t ever think you’d be wasting their time. You’ve had major surgery and it’s still very early days. Good job you went.
Do you have a Rehab Nurse that you can contact on the phone with any concerns or queries? I haven’t actually met mine yet (8 months down the line… 🤦🏼♀️) But, we have had numerous phone conversations and she’s been really helpful with any problems that have arisen. Worth a call if you’re not able to see your G.P. anytime.
Hopefully, your scar will start to heal now . Wish you better. ❤️🩹
Never heard that about Warfarin before, I have been taking it for twenty years without any incident of brain fog.
When warfarin was recently stopped and I was put on edoxaban, within weeks I my brain fog had lifted. I didn’t even consider warfarin was responsible, because I am on a cocktail of medications for heart failure. So I do agree with that. But not everyone on the same drugs reacts the same. This is my story. Also my hair was falling out in clumps.
I don't think brain fog is a known side effect of warfarin. Can you tell me your source out of interest?
I am not currently on warfarin just paracetamol
Apparently the brain fog is linked to the recovery process
I’ve had real trouble trying to regulate my I.N.R since taking Warfarin and am often below range. When mentioned to my Cardiologist she said some patients can experience ‘brain fog’ type symptoms. From my own personal experience, I certainly didn’t have issues prior to my surgery. Whether there are any U.K PubMed studies into this you would need to search.
Do you have a Coaguchek machine? If not I would highly recommend getting one. My range is 3-4 and I am rarely outside that. The problem with warfarin is that it is affected by almost everything and great discipline is required to keep it "normal". I can definitely help you with that if you need it. I have taken it for 21 years and it's kept me alive.
Hi Mitchum, thank you for your reply. Am glad to hear Warfarin has been so successful for you.
Yes I did invest in a Coaguchek machine, as I was having to go to the hospital daily for full blood tests following my op, as my I.N.R levels were all over the place. Some days I’d have to go back to the ward to have a Heparin injection as well - due to the surgeon being so concerned. It was all a bit of a nightmare.
In the meantime, less than a fortnight after I’d been discharged, both my Parents were sadly deemed palliative within the same week. Stress is also known to mess with your I.N.R. So at one point, I was visiting my Mum who had sadly been admitted to a hospice, my Dad who was in hospital with end stage heart failure complications, and I was also still having to attend a different hospital daily (where I had my surgery), for them to try and regulate my I.N.R. We then sadly lost my Mum a few weeks later. We’re still caring for my Dad.
So unfortunately, not the stress free recovery from open heart surgery that I needed, which regrettably has hampered my ongoing recovery.
I can relate to what you are experiencing
I definitely didn’t have this before under going the procedure, I did have warfarin injections while in hospital and I am on beta blockers as well.
I feel present in the room but not always processing information and conversations, I feel I nod and agree in the right places but I can’t always remember the full conversation 🙈
Bless You. You’re doing so well! Only 2 wks post op. (I was still in hospital then!) You must be so tired, exhausted and in pain still. You don’t get any rest in hospital with all the machines beeping - (yours and other peoples) and all the constant interruptions! Then when you do finally come home - you have to try and sleep sitting up, propped up on multiple pillows, when it still hurts to breathe - let alone cough or sneeze.
It’s no wonder you’re struggling and forgetting things. When you’re tired it’s difficult to function at the best of times - let alone when you’re recovering from major surgery.
I hope you got some reassurance today following your appointment and continue to get stronger every day. 😊
Open heart surgery is a major disturbance to your body. It's not surprising that you have some aftereffects. It is good that you have noticed some positive changes. I hope and expect you will find more improvements as time goes on.
I feel for you having to go through it 3 times, I've been lucky and only had the one surgery in 2015 but remember having the same brain fog and confusion at times, and it really took a good year to recover fully
Thankyou I feel more confident i am not alone, I have heard it could take a year to fully recover.
I had a double cabg last year and experienced exactly the same ad you!! My cardiologist said it was just all the neurotransmitters in the brain getting back to normal. It all came right in the end. It just takes time. Did you e perience this with your ladt 2 surgeries? I hope you recover well from this one and that it will be your last. Did you have cabg surgeries?
Yes this is quite common after OHS, especially as yours is only very recent. Your body and brain need to recover from being on bypass.
You may like to join a very friendly and supportive Facebook page called UK Aortic and Heart Defects Pre surgery & Post surgery. We have all been through or waiting for heart surgery and you can find a lot of support, advice & information from the group members. xx
thankyou so much that sounds amazing, I agree it’s nice to talk to people who have or is going through the same.
Dizziness after open heart surgery 
2nd Open Heart Surgery - Experiences?
Tips after open heart surgery
Post open heart surgery discomfort when sleeping?
