Triple Heart Bypass

[metallicalover]

Just posting an update on my situation. I am now 5 weeks post op and have been progressing slowly, learning to live with the effects of the op greatly helped by all the responses to my original post.

The pain is beginning to subside (very slowly) and my walking has improved and I am doing 30 minutes walk every day, again with gradual improvement in distance and pace.

However, I received a setback today as after about 15 - 20 minutes in I suddenly came over all faint and woozy with my head swimming and I was in danger of keeling over. I had to rest a while to get back to normal and was then able to carry on back home but at a much slower pace.

My wife says it was because I was walking too quickly and I admit I was going faster than before, but why would this happen without warning as I was feeling ok up to that point? Is my wife right about walking too fast and has anyone else had a similar incident?

[Traveldreams]

Always check with your cardiac nurse when these things happen but it does sound like you are pushing yourself too hard so early in your recovery. I think most of us would agree that it is tempting to do more early on. Take care x

[Artemlos]

Hi, I'm on week 7 following triple by pass and still find walking quite exhausting after about 20 minutes. Evening heals at a different rate so your body is telling you to ease up a bit and not to push it. I'm an impatient patient and have to keep being reminded thstvthus us major surgery and thst the body will take months to recover. Wishing you all the best

[stevetheadi]

Hi

It does sound as though you were just walling a bit too quickly. But best to mention it, just in case.

I am waiting for a triple bypass and am a bit concerned about post-op pain. How did (do) you manage it?

[CyclingTime]

Bisoprolol used to cause something a little similar with myself. Worth checking in with your doctor if you get that again

[Thesnowman51]

I agree with others comments, if you think you we’re going a bit quick, then you’ve admitted it. Not every day is the same, you can do more on some days than others. Certainly build up the walking exercise gradually by speed an time, but listen to your body. You did exactly the right thing by stopping and resting. Good luck with your recovery

[ChoochSiesta]

Maybe your blood pressure is too low, beta blockers can have this effect.

[DWizza]

I made excellent progress in the first few months post quadruple bypass surgery last July, was walking 4-5km with ing a month and added some efforts as instructed by the physios ;before discharge from hospital ). I also started to have regular bouts of feeling weird, zombie like , vacant , almost unable to walk , felt like I was shuffling on my shins while walking At my first consultation I had my Bisoprolol lowered from 3.75 to 1.25mg which helped . There were also other side effects that I’d noticed , feeling cold in hands , feet , knees , aches and pains in joints , constant runny nose and the zombie feelings still came back, I checked my BP and it used to fall from 115/75 to 100/60 by the afternoon and I’d be wiped out. Eventually got the attention of my GP and I’m now my 3rd statin at a low dose with a view to increasing it if appropriate to find a point that is working well and I can tolerate. I only share this as my experience and to highlight that your meds maybe the cause rather than your efforts. Used to drive me mad with everyone telling me your doing to much 🤦🏼🤣.. sounds like you’re doing very well , keep it up and have a word with your consultant/GP / pharmacist . You could even run it by one of the BHF online nurses 👍🏻

[Mitchum]

You could increase progress and fitness by doing two 20 minute walks per day with very gradual increases but it also depends on your pre op fitness as well. Just don't overdo it.

[pasigal]

My recovery was and is 2 steps forward, 1 back. You have been through quite a trauma and your body is not the same as before, plus I assume you are on a lot of medicines that have various side effects and interactions. One thing that has helped me is to stay very hydrated, especially during exercise. As in, at least 1.5 liters of water a day and sometimes more if it's hot.

[JCDBARBRIDGE]

overall positive and perhaps over stretching yourself , think your wife is spot on