I’m so inspired by the stories people have shared, and photos! This is my first post so apologies if not all relevant.
Being a fit 58 year old male recently diagnosed with angina to just hearing I need a double bypass has terrified me. But the wealth of information on here as well has people’s first hand accounts has given myself and my wife hope for a more positive future post surgery thank you to all…
Hello 
In a way you are lucky to find out this way I had 3 heart attacks before I found out I needed a triple Bypass and I was your age when I had it done
See this as a good thing been the negative nervous wreck I am naturally I was petrified and yet looking back it was nothing to be afraid of this is going to help give you a better life and longer than if it had not been found out
As you say you have been reading posts and you can see what members are now doing , going to the gym , climbing , marathons you name it so many are fitter than ever for having this done
If there is anything you want to know just come and ask and let us know when you have a date and how you get on x
Thanks again so much. They gave me a really informative book on what actually happens before during and for some time after surgery which has really helped me. I’ve vein mapping and neck scan tests the week after next and lung function in a couple of weeks then the surgeon is hoping to list me as soon as he can thereafter.
Hello
I suspect you will be asked to have a dental check as well if they have not told you to already but positive these tests have been put in place as a good sign they are getting you ready to have the op so hopefully it will not be to long you have to wait x
Thank you. So far it’s a carotid and vein map scan booked and lung function and bloods to be booked. Thanks for the update on that.
Hello
Yes we all have these done it is procedure
The scan is nothing to be concerned about neither the lung function or bloods I had already had 3 heart attacks by the time I had these tests done and passed them so I am sure you will have no problems
Let us know how you get on x
Thank you, I’ll be sure to do that.
x
My mother had a triple bypass at 80, and lived another 8 years before succumbing to an unrelated condition. Today's treatments can be little short of miraculous.
Hope all goes well for you - and best wishes to the wife. Sometimes spouses/partners need almost as much support!
Thank you so much and yes I’m acutely aware that although my wife is very supportive and comforting inside she too is very worried but having attended to see the consultant and specialist nurses she is also confident I could not be in better hands. Wish I could take all the pressure off her but this forum is so very helpful as she has also found in reading real life experiences
Your situation is the same as ours, my boyfriend is 50 & recently diagnosed with angina, (very mild symptoms of angina) a few tests later and he is booked in for quadruple heart bypass surgery on 19th July. A real unxpected shock to the system. I too am petrirfied but am getting great comfort from all the positivity on this forum.
thanks so much and having visited the heart centre this week I have so much confidence that I am really in expert hands
Glad feel helped with this wonderful group. They have helped me. I find it's always better to know information from people who have gone and going through the same thing as you are. They are the experts not doctors. And everyone has different coping mechanisms but are willing to open up and tell it like it is warts and all. Wishing you well for your op . Once healed you will feel like a new man . But give yourself time and do any exercises they give you .
This is the most incredibly informative forum I’ve ever been in. First hand experiences, practical advice, guidance and support and absolutely nobody being judgemental. Every response is written with genuine understanding and support.
Hi
I'm 55 and had a double bypass on 29.1.24.
It really has given me a much better quality of life. Like yourself I had angina, and struggled with uphill walks especially during cold/ windy weather.
I'm now taking daily uphill walks and enjoy the challenge with no angina pains! My outlook on life has changed, I appreciate it much more!
Wishing you well mate 👍
Thank you. They were my initial symptoms and firstly put them down to just the cold weather at the time. Thanks for the encouraging advice.
You will be scared. Anyone facing an operation like this would be.When I found out I needed a triple bypass my first thought was 'no, I'm not'.
Key to getting the whole thing into perspective is information - from your cardiac team - and support - these forums are great but the most important support is from friends and family. Don't be afraid to express your emotions. I was in tears a lot.
But just 5 days ago I had the operation and I can absolutely assure you that the waiting is the worst bit. Sure, I am feeling a bit uncomfortable but as soon things started to get painful it was controlled. When they remove the chest drains (maybe 2 days in) you'll feel a lot better.
And the people who will be looking after you are amazing . Trust them.
And focus on the long term. This operation will extend your life by many years. And you'll enjoy being able to exercise without pain.
Keep in touch. Any questions, put them here and someone will answer.
Thank you. This is really very helpful and informative. Great to hear such practical and relevant first hand advice, it’s much appreciated.
I too thought I was fit and well. I had hardly visited a doctor at all and was rarely ill apart from the odd cold. In May last year I started getting what I thought was a stitch and was diagnosed with angina. Towards the end of June started feeling pains and was admitted to hospital for a stent, but it turned out I needed a triple bypass. It was tough for the first few weeks but almost a year on and I am feeling great, scars healed well. So grateful for the care I received and looking forward every day. I am sure you will have lots of support. Listen to your body. Good luck I hope your op and recovery goes well.
Thank you so much for these words which are really supportive and comforting
Hi,
I had a double bypass, both right and left coronary artery were blocked. With the widowmaker being 90% ocluded. I diagnosed myself (i had unstable angina and high bp) and my private health plan allowed me to self refer to a Cardiologist.
So far this year i have cycled over 1200kms and this week i am in Paphos, Cyprus. I have walked 145 000 steps. I have no angina and had a CT scan which showed all my grafts where patent and clear. The original vessels are still providing blood to my heart with no further occlusion.
My recovery initially was pretty brutal but i was back at work within the 3 month window.
Do i regret it, no but wouldnt want to go through it again.
Mentally, emotionally and physically it will be hard, but if you have a strong family support you’ll be fine, I was 64 and went through the exact same as you are going through just now, physically fit went for an angiogram only to be told I needed a quadruple bypass, wow I couldn’t believe it but I looked on the bright side and looked at it from the point that I was lucky I didn’t have a heart attack, which most people have before they find out they need bypass surgery
Good luck
Hi Mancunian, wishing you a successful procedure and most comfortable rehab 👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻. I’m 11 months on from my quadruple CABG following Nstemi heart attack , was fit and strong , a total shock to me , family and my friends . Scared the lot of them “ if Wizza can have a heart attack and he’s so fit” 🤦🏼🤦🏼🤦🏼… I’ve posted my monthly updates , I hope they are of help to fellow hearties going through similar procedures. Keep us posted 👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻
Hi Mancunian1,
I had my triple in 2018 at the age of 66. My surgeon said 25 years before further intervention would be required... assuming I didn't take it as a licence to become a lounge lizard. Now 72, I'm still climbing Munros up in Scotland whenever I can get there and doing all kinds of physical activities in between.
I'm pleased to see that your wife is on board with this. She will be concerned for you from now until you have your op and then will be a great help with your recovery, both physically and mentally. Take it easy and do not rush your recovery and do the rehab classes when offered. Even though I was fit before my op (walking in the Cheviots a couple of days before my op), I didn't push it and it has paid dividends.
Sending both you and your wife my very best wishes,
Gerald
Thank you. A common theme in all my responses has been take it easy, don’t rush your recovery and listen to and take advice. Additionally make best use of pain medication, especially in the early days. I have to say I’m really pleased to see this advice as being a typical male I’d probably not have followed most of this advice otherwise so I’m really grateful to everyone.
What got me was that I was walking hills before my op and couldn't walk up the slope on my road after my op. It does take it out of you. I found it helpful to keep a diary of what I achieved. Always look at the positIves. A week after my op I was walking yards, at a month 2 miles, at two months 10 miles. Bit by bit it got better.
I was fortunate enough not to need the codeine I was sent home with, just paracetamol. The medication wasn't all good for me either, but with help of the pharmacist at my GP practice, I got it sorted and now have no issues with taking medication. It's all aimed at preventing another heart attack and none of us need one of those!
I’m 53 and had a quadruple just over a year ago. I had a lot of complications so been a tough ride for me, but a year on I’m feeling good, and still more recovery to come. Couple of positives for you to take- most I know had it much easier than me, and recovered quickly. The few days after the operation are kind of blurry because of the drugs! It changes you- for the better! I’m a stronger, calmer, happier person than I was before. And changing my diet massively was so much easier than I feared! Good luck!
Welcome to the forum and well done for posting. There are indeed some wonderful folk here, sharing wonderful stories as well as off-loading their concerns. I'm a hospital volunteer and now and again share stories on this forum. I look forward to your story and wishing you and your wife all the best.
Wonderful they all are indeed. The hardest thing for me, again as a probably typical male was talking about it. Reading so many personal accounts from people who have gone through this is really helping us.
Hi,You will be absolutely fine!!
This operation is huge to us but sonething that these exceptionally skilled surgeons do every day!!!
You will be very tired when you cone home so just take it easy. Baby steps day at a time. It's amazing how quickly the body heals. We are all different in that regard though. I would suggest sleeping in your back for a good while until your sternum isn't so tight, and you are able to move a little easier and are able to twist and turn and lie on your side. It's amazing all the things we do every day and just take for granted!! So no bending, stretching, twisting or turning for a while until you are well on the way to healing properly ( from the inside out)!!! I wish you all the luck in the world for your operation, and a speedy recovery. Let us all know how you get on. Xx
Hi Mancunian1 - I am the wife of a CABGer. Your wife may find the first week or so challenging just because she will see you with wires, etc and quite vulnerable. My husband was also quite irritable at the time (he remembers nothing about the first few days) and talked quite a lot of nonsense. I was warned by the consultant about it which helped me a lot at the time. However, during his recovery this site was invaluable for all the questions we had. Just knowing something is normal can be half the battle
Hello and thank you for that very helpful insight I have shown my wife the comments and suggestions people have been making in here and she is finding them invaluable also
A positive future, there you have it, you said it yourself. Take all the positives that will come from it and look forward to a happier, healthier life. That's what I did and feel so good because of it. Hope all goes well and let us know how you get on, from a fellow Manc 😉👍
Thank you and I certainly will.
Keep looking on here because it's a wealth of help and experience from people who have been what you are going to go through. It will help you.
Hi I don't have the same form of heart disease as you. But I was diagnosed with severe Heart Failure on the 13th September 2023 I thought my whole world had ended a few days after my 49th Birthday. But the support here is amazing. The term "Heart Failure " is a very poor choice of terms. My Heart function at the time was 20% and on last echo in January it's upto 32%. So with medication there is improvement and hopefully more improvement. But I am going to be a walking pharmacy (the amount of tablets I take a day) for the rest of my life. As they have found no cause it's looking Hereditary. I mentioned to my Antie, and apparently my dad was offered genetic testing but refused to have it. (But if he had I may have not of got so sick because it would have been caught earlier. As when he got his results they would have offered us testing) but such is life.
Best wishes
Shabana
Thank you
you will be fine , it was a massive shock to me 2 years ago, I don’t smoke, drink a vegetarian and super fit. I just couldn’t believe at the age of 54 I had a HT and an emergency quadruple CABG how did that happen why me and so on but it did. We are the lucky ones we were found and survived, just think of all those who just drop down dead.
The main thing is to take it easy and take all the help you can, rehab is the best thing ever I know you don’t really want to think about it but it will effect your mental health don’t be proud just talk we all been there and are here to help.
Keep us updated.
Thanks Martin
Hi Martin. Thank you very much for your personal insight, everyone on here has been incredibly supportive and informative.
Hi, not sure if I can say much more on top of all the replies! I'm nearly 3 weeks post CABG and recovering well, trying to pace myself and take it easy. Starting to walk with less of a limp - did a couple of 800m walks yesterday, so might be a 'take it easy day' today 🙂
Hope you don't have to wait too long - keep busy and distracted to avoid over thinking things. My experience so far is only positive.
Thanks so much that’s a really positive story.
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