Hi my hubby had CABG X3 6 weeks ago. Fortunately our insurance covered it, as mine 9 mths waiting list.
He's not heard anything re cardiac rehab. When would that normally start or will he not get referred as went private?
He is walking ok, chest bones still very sore. In meantime found some rehab videos on YouTube but wary about starting incase too early. Thanks for advice
I had an AVR and CABG and didn't start cardio rehab for 4 months. At 6 weeks the sternum is still healing, is good that he is feeling that he wants to start doing exercises but he needs to be careful with any upper body exercise. At 6 weeks I overdone things and went backwards with my recovery.
Thank you, yes I worry he is trying to do too much without specific guidance, especially tasks around house and garden especially as still in pain from chest
Get him to phone the BHF nurses for their advice. Contact is at the bottom of the main BHF page.
Good idea thanks
Morning Songbird - It might be an idea to give the hospital where your husband's operation took place a quick ring and hopefully they'll be able to make sure he's on the list for rehab and I'm sure they'll be able to advise further. Reading various posts on the site it seems that different regions have different time frames for rehab. After a triple three years ago (NHS), I was contacted by the Cardio Rehab team around 4 weeks after the operation - I live in N. Ireland though, so things might be different. The first meeting was more of an introduction, no exercise or anything, just recording my blood pressure, heart rate, height, weight etc. and some booklets and advice to take home with me. I didn't have a further meeting until a month later.
It takes a while for our sternums to heal, if you think of it in terms of a broken arm or leg bone it'll give you an idea,☺️ but they do heal, just so long as he doesn't try to do too much in the meantime. I found walking to be an excellent exercise afterwards, building up a little every day, and being out & about in the fresh air meant sleep was better too!
He's been through a big operation, but time and patience are great healers and it certainly sounds as if his recovery is going well. Sending you both every best wish for a full and fast recovery. (And please remember to take some time to care for yourself as well! ☺️) - Carol
Thank you Carol we are in NI too, Belfast. We asked surgeon at 6 week follow up and he couldn't advise but said he would probably hear something as still in the system. I just don't want him falling thru cracks. I worry he will try to do too much without proper guidance but at least he is walking some and using exercise bike as keen too get back to work🫣. Hope you are well recovered x
Oh, that's a coincidence, Songbird! I live in Newtownabbey and my op took place in the Royal on February 18th 2022 after a HA on the 10th January. I was admitted to hospital on the day of the HA and had to stay for five weeks until I had the op which was conducted by Mr. Gwyn Beattie (my lovely, very funny, very kind, very attentive hero!). Thankfully I was able to come home just four days after it and it was heaven getting into my own bed again that first night after over five weeks in a hospital bed!
I recovered very well and went back to work, on a phased return, in late June that year. The phased return was extremely helpful and I'd really recommend your husband does that too when the time comes - you honestly don't realise just how tired you might feel when you re-start. For the first month, I did four half days a week (Mon - Thurs), then progressed to two full days (Mon & Wed) and two half days (Tue & Thu) a week afterwards and have been doing that ever since. I'm just hoping they don't notice how well I've recovered and want me back full-time, because it suits me just fine! 😂
I understand how worried you must be about him doing too much, too soon - even though it sounds as if he's recovering really well. It can still be a scary time and probably more so for you than him! Your GP might be able to help with making sure his rehab plans are still in the system and might also be able to hurry it up a bit as well (if you torture them with phone calls😆!) . If there's anything you feel I might be able to help with in terms of the 'facilities' and the systems in place in our locality, please feel free to PM me and I'll do my best to try to help. Rehab took place in Whiteabbey Hospital, but that facility has recently been closed there, and wasn't as I'd expected it to be to be honest. Carol x
Thanks Carol, we are in Carryduff. Initially under RVH Dr Ahmed, who then did it in Kingsbridge. The team from RVH come across every other Sat and only do 2 at a time, mainly lower risk patients as only 2 beds in ICU. Dr called each morning and evening before and after his days work in RVH. Couldn't fault the care. We were just so lucky to have just started the insurance. Apart from an evening of afib and catheter issues he has been doing great except for the chest pain which will take time. Has just been a struggle as I was due spinal eop week before which had been postponed till June Can't wait to get our lives back
It is a struggle at the start, Songbird - I vividly remember waking up some mornings when I got home after the op just wishing for some sort of 'normal'. My sister was diagnosed with breast cancer over a year ago and she said exactly the same thing (she's since had her treatment, got the 'all clear' and rang the bell - YAY!☺️). You'll get there though, and probably faster than you imagine. I'm sure you wish your own op was over and done with too - that's all you need! 😲 With a bit of luck, your husband will be well enough at that stage to help with your recovery. ☺️
The fabulous surgeon who performed my op was at the RVH on a 'locum' basis and actually works from the Kingsbridge too. Their services seem to be very advanced, don't they. I only had two stitches, needed for the drains, as my chest wound was tacked together with Dermabond (my cheeky nephews & nieces told everyone I was sellotaped together again😆 ) - and only a teeny scar at my ankle and one at my knee where they harvested the veins they needed endoscopically. He also called in to see me every morning before starting his day and again every night for a yarn before going home - they must train them up well at the Kingsbridge! 😂 I have nothing but the highest of praise for the surgeon and his team.
Och we are getting there. He is getting stronger, another month off at least and hopefully phased return. I'm loving the company at home..lol. I'll spend time getting stronger to prep for mine. Grandkids will keep us busy. Your procedure sounds just lovely me his. I was amazed only 2 cuts on leg. He had afib but fixed quickly. Just some ongoing issues following catheter removal but he's very positive. I'm just glad he was diagnosed in time as his cousins were not so lucky. Take care x
Hi, I had 4x CABG after nstemi in July 2023. On discharge from hospital I was told the rehab team would contact me after 2 weeks to enroll me into the rehab program. I didn’t hear anything and phoned them up only to discover that my name wasn’t on the list ! I was then told that the person who compiles the list was on holiday and it would take another 2 weeks … I eventually got a home visit to assess my suitability to go on the rehab course and everything went smoothly after that.
Ah great, yes I worry in case he is overlooked. Hard to know as everything is so slow here. I will get him to call to check it out. Thank you
Coordination isn’t a strong point for the NHS 🤦🏼…. Fortunately my discharge notes had lots of info and contact details 👍🏻 wishing him well on his journey. 👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻
Hey, hope your hubby is doing ok. Im 4 weeks post CABG x3 and got my cardiac rehab letter on Friday, with my first appointment not until end of April. I guess that suggests that the appointments are not immediate, because the wounds need to heal properly first.
Bit of time yet for your husband, but you could probably give the hospital a quick call. I find them incredibly helpful every time I've had any concerns or questions.
Jon T
Hi, I had mitral valve replacement and pacemaker at the back end of November last year. I start my rehab in April. I must admit I made a bit of a nuisance of myself 🫢🤫 and would ring the rehab team on a regular basis so that might be worth a try. If you speak to your hospital and ask to be put through to cardiac rehab team they should be able to help. Good luck and all the best to you both ☺️
Hi I had valve repair and 2 bypasses on 29 January. I was told to get the GP to put me on the cardio rehab list. I have been called twice by them and plan to start soon in 4 plus weeks. But in the meantime as I had private cover for op in London I was referred to CP+R who offer 4 weeks free rehab via zoom. (They are super efficient). After that high charges apply) I have completed week 1. I am slightly concerned that I started on week 7 post op in view of above comments. But the walking 30 mins was very helpful 10 V slow to open bypass arteries and 10 mins more strenuous then 10 mins cooldown. I am pretty bushed by the end. The exercises are challenging too. I can share if you are interested. I was very pleased to begin rehab even though chest area is painful on and off. I would like to start pulmonary physio as have some water in lungs and persistent cough but don't know where to ask for this.
Thank you. I wondered if he would be excl from NHS as had gone private, but will check with GP. His surgeon works both NHS & private and some of his prechecks/scans were done via NHS. Hope you get sorted with pulmonary physio
I had double-valve surgery at a private hospital in Dublin. They then referred me to my local HSE hospital (Drogheda) for rehab. Don't know if it also works that way in the North/NHS.
It was about a 3-1/2 month wait for the rehab to start, but I got a couple of phone calls from the nurses before that.
Thanks will check out with gp
my husband was not accepted on to the cardiac rehab until 3mths had lapsed post op. As you went private you may need to ask your GP or ask your insurers if they provide cover for it.
Thank you. Hope he is doing well
He had Triple CABG in September and is fully back to normal. Hope your husbands recovery goes as smoothly.
Can’t say how the private sector works but I will give a big up for the Welsh NHS which tends to get a bad press especially from politicians of a certain political party and their association press.
Had my CABG x 3 and mitral valve repair just over 8 weeks ago although operation wasn’t straight forward done complications during surgery which meant I spent 4 days in ICU and isolation I have to say the team at the University Hospital of Wales were top of their game.
Before my discharge I was given all the information for post surgery and visited by all departments who had an interest in my recovery from doctors to rehab team and fully briefed on follow ups and given all contact numbers which I was told I could call anytime.
I was connecting by the rehab nurse at 5 weeks however due to a chest infection couldn’t see her till week 6, from that referred to physio a week later and last week went back to UHoW for my final discharge visit with one of the team who operated on me and who was happy to do that and reduce some of my meds.
Have to say with the physio team scored to six and half on my beep test so not being referred for 16 week rehab programme, however having another one to one where they are going to go through a personal exercise course and I can attend my own gym to workout at my own pace which will suit me better and as I’ve been cleared to fly means I can get out to Spain asap.
So as I said my experience has been very positive and all the pieces have come together smoothly and I’ve found it’s not a one way street they listen and apply common sense to your individual recovery and ongoing personal situation.
Thank you and wishing you well on your recovery. We would have been more than happy to have it done in the NHS and in fact was same surgeon. Hubby was told it was urgent and a 9 month minimum wait. He also lost 3 male cousins in their 60s with cardiac issues over last cple of years. We had only recently taken insurance and were shocked when they agreed to cover
👍❤️
I’m not knocking the private sector, I know 2 people who are having operations in the private sector who have been referred for operations not cardiac but hips, I understand that the NHS is taking up the slack to reduce waiting times.
This is my own experience and giving you some timescales on my own post op referrals, my own operation was over 2 years from original diagnosis but that was partly down to my refusal to accept the diagnosis I was being given ( which anyone reading my medical file now reminds me).
sorry for a few words that don’t make sense should have read through it more thoroughly before posting.
I could only advise on surgery carried out in NHS whereby the rehab team visit you usually while still an inpatient to make initial contact and then your local area health authority will receive a referral and be in contact. In my case I had a double cabg in September and started rehab @ 2 months later.
If your husband created in a private facility you may need to follow up that they will refer you to your local area, at the very minimum the discharge letter to the GP should pick it up. I wouldn’t leave it under the assumption something is happening in case your husband has slipped through the net so to speak. Good luck in resolving, I hope you get it sorted out soon.
Thank you, yes will definitely follow up with GP
Here in the USA particularly in North Carolina where I’m at, I’m 7 weeks PO & I have a consultation on this Tuesday. I had to email constantly & then talk to my Cardio at the last visit on the 18th to even get anything going with Cardiac Rehab. Cardio said there is a shortage of rehab specialist in NC right now so I might have the consultation but then not start for a week or two then after 6 weeks of therapy I’d go back to work a month after that.
Chest pain is still there and my arms are weak from not really being able to lift anything. Walking has been my only exercise.
Hopefully everything gets sorted soon. I know I probably over did stuff which is why my chest still is tender but it’s hard not to when I have 2 kids under 7.
Gosh that must be hard with two wee ones. We have 2 young grandchildren and I have to watch them. Sounds much same as here. Good luck with your recovery
It starts at 6 weeks so definitely get in touch
In California they seem to want to start cardio rehab early. I started 4 weeks after my CABGx2 and aorta aneurysm surgery. Rehab was a 12 week program, 3 days per week.
Before I started, they asked if I was having sternum pain because that or other recovery issues are cause for deferment. And they still avoid doing anything that would risk sternum injury. My first few weeks, target heart rate was resting rate +30 while using treadmill or stationary bike. They have a wireless ECG to make sure you don't overdo it.
I noticed a few people in my rehab class had heart surgery that didn't involve cutting sternum. They had far fewer exercise restrictions.
I went private (through work health insurance) for my CABG on 30th March 2024 as the waiting time was weeks rather than months and there was little or no chance of being cancelled. I then did cardiac rehab in October/November. Has there been a six week review with the surgeon?
Hi yes he has had review. Surgeon also works for NHS. Couldn't confirm when he would hear but assumed he would be on list. I just want to confirm he is. Hope you have recovered well. Thanks for reply
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