Ever since my triple heart bypass I have (apparently) been affected by cold - and cold down towards and over "0" is so concerning for me. I get tight chested and a real ache in my chest. If I wear a scarf over my face the symptoms are not quite so bad and my wife says she is so grateful, suggesting I wear the scarf all the time (git)
Does anyone else experience this? Is it part and parcel of open heart surgery? Any suggestions would be gratefully received.
Seamus
I haven’t had heart surgery but I do have a pacemaker , Tuesday walking to work I suddenly had very sharp chest pains that stopped me in my tracks , they thankfully settled after a few minutes and I carried on to work . Very scary and if the pain had continued I would have probably called 999. Hopefully someone who has been through the same surgery as yourself will offer advice to you . Take care x
it’s normal to find that your heart has to work harder to keep you warm. I’ve just read NHS guidance for older people keeping well over winter, just brows their website. Also the BHF has information about this. Other posters might give you more specific guidance on where to find the right information.
bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...
Thank you PadThaiNoodles, that's been really helpful and I've saved the Resistance Band Exercises to my Desktop to keep dipping into to keep warm.
I do aswell had that today while I was out in the cold my chest felt tight and out of breathe even with the scarf over my mouth x
Thank you Yumz - and TO EVERYONE that has replied with experiences and information. It has all been very helpful and from the link - rather disconcerting although knowledge is power as they say, although from my point of view, knowledge has always meant enlightenment. Thank you all for chipping in, it is much appreciated.
Heart patients require Goldilocks weather. Too much heat too much cold too much wind and too much moisture (fog and rain) are all bad for us, so we need to mitigate it.
Wearing a scarf is a good idea in cold weather, certainly when you first go outside, but then you are likely to adjust to the effects of cold. i also have a snood and a similar item but that incorporates a head covering.
Both readily available from MandS or any of the sports retailers.
I have found very hot or very cold effects my breathing and effects my neurological condition. I find my PAF kicks in if I get to cold . So even in my home wear layers and have my heating on . When out layered up and scarf but my mouth . And it must be breathing in the cold air . I breath through my mouth when it's cold so by putting a scarf near my mouth makes sure I only breath through my nose. Plus my walking is slower in the cold weather but that's due to my neurological condition but it means I am in the cold longer.
Read years ago it's very important to keep your organs warm and thin layers are better than a thick one as the thin layers trap air in between the layers and warmer. So I wear a thermal vest over my bra ,thermal long sleeved long length tee shirt then a thin jumper and a fleece . Thick scarf wrapped twice round my neck and a thick waterproof jacket or coat plus gloves . I can't wear socks so wear 40 denier tights under my trousers. So for you thermal socks and if you can stand them thermal leggings under your trousers and boots . And hopefully keeping warmer helps you .
I agree about the layers but I think I'd have to put them on in October and keep them on til spring. The dread of removing them at the end of the day ...ooh bbbrrrrrr 😁
I did put my winter duvet on start of October and switched to my winter coats and got my scarfs, hat and gloves out . And switched from 20 denier tights to 40. Sorted out winter fleeces for in the living room to winter from summer weight. I can't stand the cold but then again I can't stand it if it's to hot. No pleasing some people 🤣🤣
You can get thermal 100 denier tights from Tesco which have been a boon for me this year and I lashed out on a heated blanket with is fantastic- just need one in the shape of a full body suit with a lead long enough to follow me around the house!
Unfortunately because of the pain my neurological condition causes in my legs 40 is as tight as I can stand . My daughter brought me 2 hooded blankets with sleeves from TU at Sainsbury's last year love to change into my pjs after dinner and put one on. They are over sized and long so lovely and cosy. When I wake at 5 to start my tablets put it on to sit in bed and catch up with the news and emails etc.
Hi - I’m a diver and since I started having heart problems and taking medication (and having stents) I do find I get cold quickly when previously when previously I would have been fine. I think it’s down to reduced peripheral circulation due to the beta blockers and ramipril. Extra layer or two takes care of it (looked like an arctic explorer walking the dog this morning!) B
As a diver you should understand something of the basics of heart function
In high and low temperatures your heart has to work harder to maintain body temperature so it is important to take measures which help keep you cooler or warmer to reduce the demand on your heart, particularly during periods of activity. Some medications do compound the situation but they are only part of the picture
Thanks fish, I do…
I’m exactly the same chest pains and occasionally shortness of breath, the scarf does help sometimes. I don’t know why it does it but I do know others that say the same. During surgery I had a small puncture to one of my longs and I’ve often wondered if it was down to that? The big problem with a scarf is I wear glasses and they keep steaming up.
Hope someone comes up with the answer.
You can buy anti mist wipes or spray from opticians. Perhaps your pharmacist also sells them
I wear a snood when I am outside.
I pull the snood up to the bridge of my nose. I then put my glasses on top of the snood on my nose. It seems to work.
The anti mist is a good idea, however have a look at Milkfairy and his reply - which really should be shown to us in an attached photograph! None the less, a great idea.
I’ve had OHS for AVR and CABG, I definitely feel the cold more since surgery. I put it down to, in part, the beta blocker as it is my feet that feel the cold more.
Cold, damp and wind affected too. I think what makes it worse for a lot of us, the temperature varies su h a lot which doesn't give our hearts chance to adjust.
Hi Seamus. I’m sure your wife is only joking about the scarf… maybe?? 😂. Yes, heart patients can be severely affected by extremes of temperature and wind - I was informed of this at Physio Rehab and the Therapist said a scarf around the face would mitigate the cold/wind. I have felt the difference when walking out in the cold and also when melting into a puddle in 32 degrees heat on a recent holiday! (I think I preferred the cold 😂). Just another little bump far outweighed by still being here 👍. Best of luck with everything ☘️
I am definitely cold in the winter, my nose no matter how many layers I wear will be very cold, wife offered to knit me a cover 😂
It's the aspirin I think contributes due to the blood thinning
I think it could be a 'chest' problem in general as I've always had this since a child with my asthma but now with heart failure too I find it doubly troubling. Just keep a scarf handy (for your wife's sake as well as yours!) 😊
You are not alone, after my Bypass the hospital advised me that I would feel the cold more and when going out to wear a scarf to cover your mouth and nose as the cold air/wind will tighten your chest. I didn't think much of it until I went out without a scarf and the wind was blowing. Is was as if the wind was taking the air out of me and my chest went tight so I put my hand over my mouth and nose to get warm air and it worked.
I have heard other bypass hearties talk about say this and I invested in cosy blankets to put across my legs when watching TV as they get so cold. Remember - If you forget your scarf then simply cup your hands over your nose & mouth and breath to generate warm air 👍
Be very careful of sudden shifts in temperature where you go from a prolonged period in one temperature range to a prolonged period in a very different range.
I had a very bad experience last Saturday night when I got off a train after a 90 minute journey in a very warm carriage - around 25C. It was 2 - 3C. in the place where I got off. My destination was a holiday home almost 2,000 ft up in the mountains in central Italy. The house had thick stone walls and had been empty for weeks. It was 12C. inside when we arrived. It took about an hour to get the temperature up to 18C.
This was the first time I had experienced such prolonged low temperatures since my triple bypass in mid-March this year. I had been wondering how the cold weather would affect me with my new post-CABG circulation. It was a case of so far so good when I hopped into a cosy bed where my good wife had strategically placed 4 hot water bottles!
However, during the night I was woken up twice by pains in my heart - a kind of mixture between an aching bruise and a mild stab. The aches kept me awake for an hour or so both times. At one stage, it felt as though I had a mild contraction down one side of my heart.
Being up a mountain at the end of a dirt track in central Italy, calling 999 or 111 was not on the cards. I decided to call the Italian health services if the pains got any worse or, if the pains had not passed by the morning, I would book a flight home.
Fortunately, the aches disappeared and I had a good sleep until late in the morning and have been fine since - even doing a lot of heavy manual labouring in the last few days. Obviously, I'm going to try to avoid sudden shifts from one temperature range to another in future.
I suspect that my problems weren't caused by the shift from the warm/hot train journey to the colder conditions. I was only in the very cold 2 - 3C. for a few minutes before getting in a car and I was on the move the whole time when I got to the cold house. Plus I had no aches around my heart before I was an hour or so in the warm bed.
I think I adjusted to the cold because I was well-wrapped up with multiple layers and I was on the move the whole time apart from the 15 min car journey that wasn't so cold. Probably my heart problems were mainly caused by the shift to being static and very warm in bed with 4 hot water bottles and a thick duvet.
I'll ask my GP and the cardiac team about the likely cause of the problems when I get back to the UK. In the meantime, if any of you have experience/information about this, it would be great to hear what you know.
Hello, I have a pacemaker, I have always felt the cold but now it is much worse ; I have high blood pressure which the cold does not help.
One warming way that is very helpful is that I use microwave hand warmers, they are small enough to go in pockets, so help warm your body and also putting your hands in pockets when you can gives them a warm boost. it does make a difference ! as does moving as much as possible. good luck to all
Unfortunately yes,it is. The cold will restrict your airways,so a covering over your mouth helps,but be mindful of a fluffy fabric,you dont want to be breathing in fibers...also make friends with your gtn spray,always carry it with you. The heat affects me too,its not fun.
Is it the left hand side of your chest because it could be where they used youe mammary artuary for your by pass
Yes it is although you have added a possibility to the melting pot - however my body awareness alarm says to me it is my heart. "I don't know why, but there it is" By the way, for you quiz fanatics - who used the words within the quote marks? Answers on a used £10 note to : -
I have never had pains from that side of the chest and associated it with the disturbance to obtain an artery - rather a pretty significant loss of skin sensation round the left side of my back, travelling down the left side of my chest (breast sounds so wrong somehow!) but thank you for the thought and will bear it in mind for future use.
Montypython -I have not but do have GTN sprays all round the house and the car but not if going walkabout once my wife and I were to visit and use the car. That is really remiss of me and I will try harder!
I have the same it is nerve damage it has got alot better than it was it felt like barbed wire down my shirt when i first had it done up until about 24 weeks then it really only effects me when it is cold it is like pins and needles and electric shocks
No I never used it because i was told it would be the same pain i had when i suffered my HA and i would have known if it was because that was extreme
Feeling cold
Cold weather 
Cold/Flu
Ankle swelling and cold
