Mental health after heart surgery

[anna9463]

Hi all, my partner was diagnosed with a bicuspid aortic valve when he was a baby. In October this year he had open heart surgery to replace the valve (he turned 38 years old in December)

His recovery went really well but I am concerned about his mental health. I know that depression after surgery is common but he seems very low and on edge emotionally.

I am after some advice, or maybe resources that may be available for someone who has been through the trauma of open heart surgery and is suffering with symptoms which appear like PTSD.

I look forward to hearing from the community.

Anna.

[Cliff_G]

Hi,

Sorry to hear this. Yes, mental health issues can come out of having a serious condition and the surgery to correct it. You and your partner are not alone.

You may find some of the guidance in our Patient Guide for those who have had an aortic dissection. Obviously a BAV replacement is not the same but there are a fair number of similarities, and AD often involves a new valve (I have one ticking away). Have a look at the Guide at aorticdissectionawareness.o... You can download the pdf and the relevant section is on pages 59-61.

Another self help resource is the wonderful Australian CCI web site cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resour...

Best wishes

[080311]

morning anna9463

When we have open heart surgery there’s lots of things happening to us, a cocktail of very exotic drugs, going on bypass the heart is stopped our lungs collapse and the brain saying hold on what’s happening here. It takes some time to recover not just physically but mentally, I had this picture in my head someone had been holding my heart ! That didn’t happen but it took me some time to get through that. The drugs can stay in our system for longer than we think, so some of these things can be down to that. I am a good deal older than your husband, but with time I realised I had been given a second chance to live a life. Tears are normal, mood swings normal, he will get there you sound like a very supportive partner so he’s very lucky.

I wish you both a long happy life.

Pauline

[Lowerfield_no_more]

Your GP practice may have access to a social prescribing service perhaps with it's own link worker which may be able to assist your partner.

[OK10]

Hi. That is quite normal. I had my ohs in september but still get pains on my left snd my anxiety goes through the roof. Attending cardiac rehab classes helped a lot. Meditating, going out for a walk and distracting yourself helps as well. Also have a look at NHS silvercloud. There is a lot information there. Good luck.

[WoodlandLover]

I had heart surgery last September. I'm a 70 yr old female so different to your partner. I had valves repaired and a bit more. However I think there is common ground for it taking a while for mental health issues to start to bite. Heart surgery IS emotional, no matter how stoical we are. It can leave a sense of isolation regardless of how kind friends and family are, you don't want to burden them - but they didn't experience it after all! A fundamental feeling of insecurity can happen too - it was a big thing! But it worked. Thankfully. That's the main thing, to remind ourselves of.I was offered Talking Therapies, run by NHS, and a cardiac rehab series of exercise classes with other recovering patients. I felt heard and understood by the first and safe to get back into life, and no longer isolated, supported by the second.

I don't know if your partner can access either, but maybe worth contacting the hospital or GP surgery to ask?

Best of good wishes!