What are people's experiences of running after CABG / bypass ops? I'm interested in everyone's stories: how soon, fast/slow, good/bad experiences, advice, etc, etc.
I'm nearly 6 weeks out of CABG op, getting more mobile walking and thinking of mid-term aims (previously very active and fit). My recovery going well at the moment, but hopefully we can bring out some positive stories for all? Could be that people have done Parkruns, maybe as a first-timer or achieving a PB with new improved plumbing 🙂, or been more ambitious in the longer term 10k, 1/2 marathon, etc.
Thanks!!
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Snowflake01
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Thanks. Nice to see you are getting out and about 🚴♂️ - sounds like a well measured recovery 🙂. Conscious also of the medications, particularly keeping an eye on the Bisoprolol as my pre-op resting heart rate was pretty low.
This question crops up from time to time on here. My take on how much you can do following any surgery and how quickly you can do it is very much dependant on who you are in terms of overall fitness, your age, importantly what you had done, and the medical advice you were given by your health professionals post procedure. So there is no one size fits all. For example I was very 'sporty' up to my late 40s but now I am in my mid 70s there is no way I could now do some of the things I found easy all those years ago, although I would love to, my body just won't let me, although I do exercise as much as I can which compared to some of my antiquity might be quite a lot. Therefore all you can do on a personal level is follow the advice you were given by the your health professionals, set up achievable targets based on your own personal athletic interests, but above all listen to your body as you progress bearing in mind that in the first few weeks and possibly months you are still recovering. I hope you find a good fit for you
Definetly - I realise that I've cast the net far and wide with a very 'generic' post, which invites and captures (hopefully) a vast range of valued responses.
With your comments in mind, at the end of the day it really is down to individual circumstances (age, fitness, recovery rate, other health conditions / complications, ambition etc etc). I should be starting Cardio Rehab in the next week or so, which will also help with setting some aims. Thanks 👍🏻
Hi Snowflake, I've posted many times on running as rehab from a stroke and again following an SCA and ventricular tachycardia in January this year on a Parkrun.Previously SR Bradycardia with ectopics and Paroxysmal Afib Male aged 72. Resting HR 38-42 before any meds. Now on lowest dose bisoprolol 1.25 mgs which takes my HR down to 35. I do have some protection from my atrial lead in the ICD should the HR drop too low but they decided not to regulate my HR at 60 as they do in many fitted with a pacing function in the ICD.
6 weeks after the ICD was sorted in May I started running again and yesterday belatedly completed my 50th milestone run, two years after my first Parkrun. I was a few seconds slower at just over 40 minutes, but I have been self regulating my HR at 130 max, so I back off if I see that HR.
Having never run in my life before I had managed to get my PB down to just below 36 minutes and was still improving. For now though I'm not pushing it, just happy to be out there enjoying it and repaying my gratitude to the brilliant team who got the paramedic to me when I collapsed.
All Parkruns have a defibrillator available, marshalls and of course all the runners to keep an eye on you. Possible the safest place to run?
That's an impressive back story - congrats on your PBs & 50th run! I know of someone who had a cardio incident at a Parkrun. Without doubt the quick response from the Parkrun team and paramedics saved them - hoping they can return to running soon ❤
Interesting to note your rhr pre/post bisop - this is something I'll keep in check with medical professionals. Keeping within 130bpm sounds very sensible, even if maybe frustrating (I might have to curb my competitive nature!); I was doing similar at 120bpm prior to getting my angina / CAD diagnosis.
Thanks for your reply and best wishes for the next Parkrun milestone!
I’m 71, two stents, AVR and CABG in May/June ‘23. I ran the first park run of my life in early September exactly 3 months after my OHS. I’ve never been a runner (hated sports at school) but my best since has been an age grade of 43% and a time of 41:40. Not very quick I’ll admit but I keep threatening a new PB regularly. Sadly my stamina lets me down at present but I do feel I can still improve. I completed my 30th run yesterday.
I was walking 2 miles daily within three weeks of leaving hospital, swimming took about 14 weeks due to a very painful shoulder/pecs. I’ve not really got back to cycling, something I used to do a lot of a few years ago.
I’ve run into some issues with side effects from Bisoprolol, they were diagnosed by my optician in December but I’ve only recently managed to convince my GP that there is a problem! I’ve just been moved to Carvedilol and I’m hoping that goes well.
I’ve found that exercising quite vigorously is highly effective in reducing my blood pressure, all of this has been done following guidance provided by my cardiac rehab team.
What all of us must not lose sight of is that we are all different and results are very personal.
Can I ask what the optician related side effects you had and how the mitigation has worked? I'm having trouble with daily contact lenses and I hadn't thought it might be meds related. Thank you in anticipation.
It’s Dry Eye. Bisoprolol can reduce the ‘oiliness’ of tears and, instead of lubricating the eye, you end up with very watery runny eyes which can then become painful. It’s even worse for contact lens wearers, I used to wear contacts many years ango but can’t tolerate them now. Extreme cases can lead to blindness. I got to the point where I couldn’t read a book without problems.
The optician suggested eye drops and a spray which had helped but when I was using the spray every 10 minutes or so it was enough to finally convince my GP of a problem.
That's really helpful and described my crying state at times recently, especially when outside on a windy day or running! Is that experience completely changed with the medication change, sorry to ask another question or is the jury still out!
I agreed with my GP I could stop the Bisoprolol for a week and it improved greatly. There’s been a delay getting the Carvedilol so I’ve gone back on the Bisoprolol for a week - guess what, it’s got worse again. Start the new beta blocker tomorrow so all should be good soon. It is a rare side effect and took a bit of investigation including a blood test to eliminate other causes.
I was on the minimum dose for Bisoprolol and it will be the same on the new one.
I found I was better outdoors but I suspect it is very different with contacts as they need constant lubrication.
Thanks for your reply - sounds like you made a swift recovery to be back running in 3 months. I agree, everyone has to be aware of their own ambitions and limitations and be sensible. I'm still learning to pace myself - if I push my walking a bit too much, I'm wiped out for the next day!
My aim was to try and get a Parkrun done at 3 months post my CABG op and achieved that today 🙂. Managed my bpm within the Cardio Rehab advice and behaved sensibly! (though it wasn't as flat as I thought it might be, making this difficult on the up hills). Think I deserve a couple of days taking it easy now and then carrying on the recovery 👍
Very well done, my 37th today, got three new PB in August, it's 40:17 now. Did a 40:45 or thereabouts today (still waiting for official time). It takes time to progress, you need to be patient but you will see improvements in your health and times.
Locally we have cardio phase 4 classes available for a small charge. The trainer who used to take them retired in April but has been back to take part in the classes under the new 'regime', I was surprised to find that I appear fitter than they are! I find those invaluable in helping me keep fit. Trainer has been on holiday for two weeks, I'm really missing them ...
Well done to you as well for today, sounds very consistent which is key 👍. Yes, a good start and on the path to recovery and post CABG PBs, but in no rush for that! The running is going ok and very do-able within the bpm advice from Rehab - previous fitness and age are helping me in this. Keep running... 🏃♂️🏃♂️🏃♂️
Hi Snowflake, I had Nstemi in 13th July 2023 and quadruple CABG on 25th July 2023 so nearly a year ago . I was fit and strong prior to heart attack , a lifetime of sports and training . I had some residual fitness and didn’t look like the rest of my heart buddies in my cardiac rehab classes at local hospital. I found the classes way too easy and they weren’t tailored. I’d hit my walking goal of 5k and started adding efforts . I could air squat , stationary bike , step up etc and put a full effort in without any side effects , much to the annoyance of the physio taking the classes , her assistant physio was willing to let me crack on (all perceived efforts/blood pressure/heart rate/recovery monitored). I had some issues with my statin by December, stopped taking it for a month and felt fantastic. Started park running with my eldest daughter , hit my 5k running goals and a 10k trail jog/walk. I was really enjoying it . Unfortunately, I also discovered that I needed a new left hip , wondered why it stung so much when I was resting 🤦🏼.. bone on bone, so that put a hold on my 3 -4 day a week running training for the time being. I still walk , work round my small holding (lifting hay bales , feed bags , really heavy big wheelbarrow work and , occasional weights , cycling and 1-2 sessions of a tough yoga class a week. As others have mentioned , it’s all very individual. It sounds like you are ready to push on , I certainly was . I even got the help of an online cardiac coach who had worked in NHS and thought the stick rehab was way too conservative for some people , he wrote a paper on the benefits of resistance training for cardiac rehab patients. I was back riding my motorbike by September and back to yoga by November and eased my way in. Wishing you well on your recovery. Loving my rebirth , one job to do , keep the new plumbing clear 🤣👊🏻
A tattoo of "keep the new plumbing clear" should be part of the op!!
Get what you're saying about relative fitness - I've always been sporty / competitive and probably at the younger end of our ❤ club. I get the feeling as though the Cardio Rehab programme can only take me so far, but want to stay patient, steady and safe in the recovery phases (at least the first 3 months, then 12 months).
Good luck with the hip and rebirth continuation. Keep the updates and pictures coming (hope the stinging episode is behind you now) 🙂
In the mid term, my feeling is that your aim should be to get back to where you were before the op and then go on from there. You are 6 weeks post op with rehab coming up. Your sternum won't be fully healed until 12 -13 weeks, so bear that in mind. I'm sure the rehab team will assess your capabilities and set you goals. My rehab didn't happen until 14 weeks so I was fully healed and my routine was quite onerous, but it certainly helped me get back into hill walking carrying a backpack. I enjoyed the camaraderie and feeling that I wasn't the only one that had had the op. The 8 weeks ended all too soon.
Post-rehab I built on what I had learnt and tailored my exercise routine to my interest in hill walking. Now six years after the op and aged 72, I climb Munros in Scotland, undertake long walks over flatter terrain, all at an appropriate pace commensurate with age. I never was a runner, so the park run hasn't captured my imagination, but I've power-walked some courses in the wake of my daughter who does such events. Walking to the local shops and even the five miles when I take my car in for a service has become the norm. I'm sure you'll find exercise opportunities to fit in with your lifestyle.
Just keep thinking positive thoughts. As we hill walkers say, "onwards and upwards!"
Yes, I agree the sternum healing has got to be priority - will keep this in mind with the Rehab, especially over that first 12 weeks. Hill walking is another of my enjoyments, having done plenty in the past and plan to do more 🙂. I'm building my walking up quite nicely though need to stay patient.
On Parkrunning, I think it is ideal and provides a supportive base for re-starting or anyone looking to get into more exercise. I haven't done many in the past, but know that a lot of people really enjoy the comradery and I'll need some motivation.
Looking forward to getting out and about much more - thanks for your reply 👍🏻
I am The Guinness World Record Holder as The Longest Surviving Triple Heart Bypass Patient.Had my Op in 1977 age 31 now 78 and nearly 47 years since op. Did get back to running and cycling and really got back to a pretty normal way of life.
Currently play Walking Football to a reasonably level, and in the past seem to be the only one penalised for running.Got 6 bikes overkill 2 are electric.Recently started playing a little golf and although not to strenuous snooker once a week.
Of course on a lot of medication but survived to an age I never thought would be possible good old NHS.
Not sure what I can say on top of that, your story is truly inspiring for anyone under going a bypass, especially considering medical advances since 1977. And to be doing so much activity is even better!
Longevity of the op is something I often ponder, but there are so many stories that show what is possible. You've obviously looked after yourself very well - something I intend to do as a second chance at it all 🙂
Hope the recovery is going well. I've also found that if you push youself, the next day can be a wipeout! Steady and patience the key in the long run (pardon the pun 🙂).
I don't fully understand CABG, but in my case I'm taking things slowly. I used to be quite fit and ran too, but had a cardiac arrest out of the blue in feb and as a result my left ventricle is at 30-35%.
I was walking a lot quite quickly after the event and have gradually moved to the exercise bike and now to jog/walk on the treadmill. I have small goals, to gradually increase the time/distance of the jog bits. Each jog is currentl a 1/3 a mile, so my next goal is 1/2 a mile. I have an echo scan a the end of August and my LV has improved then I may set myself slightly more ambitious goals. At the moment though, I am terrified of going out for a run on my own, so quite happy staying on the treadmill, where my other half can keep an eye on me.
Personally I would start small with small goals and gradually increase one of duration/distance/pace slowly over time, but we are all different.
In your case, I can see why you are anxious about running outside - hopefully the Aug echo results are good 🤞. For CABG patients, the operation should have reduced or eliminated the angina symptoms and therefore be less anxious. Even so, it's a worthy point to stay within safe bounds, beginning with loops to be able to stop if necessary.
Your approach to restarting running is similar to mine... Starting with gentle walks, build through walking (starting 2-3mph). In later walks, increase pace of walking to a point where it's probably easier to jog (4mph ++), then gradually increase the jogging distance and pace as your body adapt🏃♂️🏃♀️🏃♂️🏃♀️. This gradual increase to build and consolidate should help the muscles, tendons and ligaments adapt to a running pace - well that's my theory anyway!
Hi baltibob, 'Out of the blue', it's a very haunting phrase, it encapsulates all the anxiety of the unknown unknowns! I've had two, a stroke and an SCA for which I am now in meds and have an ICD. All I could see at first was what I couldn't do and the fear of normal life. But it's brilliant you're back on the personally driven rehab. My experience is you will most likely have to devise your own program that works for you. After my stroke I started running at the age of 70. Masses of cautionary notes and negative support from people around me, and when I had the SCA I could hear the muttering voices. But as far as the medics were concerned my improved general health not only enabled me to cope with the trauma but directly contributed to my recovery.I used to cycle but have decided that's a risk too far because to be away from traffic meant I was also away from people and collapsing on a bike might be bad idea especially going downhill! But I started with walks and then longer walks. My wife was very anxious, so to reassure her I used a tracker feature on an activity app, Strava, but there are other options. I run too and as I said elsewhere Parkrun/walk is excellent because they all have to have a defibrillator as part of the set up as well as a full course of marshals. Many GP practices are actively supporting Parkrun.
Whatever you do, do run it past your medics/practitioners. Mine have cleared me to exercise using my awareness of self as my guide. At the moment I choose to limit my HR to 130. I used a couple of mantras , always exercise at a conversational pace, and no pain, no pain. I am exercising to keep myself well, it's a run not a race.
My performance is back where it was 18 months ago but everyday I can feel my standard walks and jogs feel easier and can extend what I do little by little.
With that my wife's anxiety has reduced and I no longer use the tracker. But I am entering a new challenge to backpack camping and shall shortly go away for a couple of nights and longer walks. I may use the tracker again. PS unfortunately I'm not allowed to drive for now so my legs are really important!!!
Good luck, hopefully as you find out more about the out of the blue , you'll gain in confidence.
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