Post-CABG atrial flutter and continuing rehab

[HeartSon1]

Hi all - my mum had a successful 2x CABG 10 days ago (Mon), discharged 6 days ago (Fri).

She has unfortunately had atrial flutter last night and is being switched to stronger blood thinners.

One problem is she's struggling with sleep and breathing during sleep (I'd assume not great for AF) - usually a side sleeper but now stuck on back.

Does anyone have a similar experiences and advice for:

A) improving her sleep comfort (considering upright in chair. Garden recliner has proved too low)

B) as a relative, how best to motivate and support continued mobilisation like walking and spirometer, in context of worry over triggering flutter

Many thanks!

[Malteasers]

Hi, I'm 8 weeks post CABG x3.I too struggled with sleeping due to being a side sleeper, but after a lot of amazing advise from the people on here I learnt that pillows, wedges and practice are the way forward.

In the end, for me it was in bed (I'd been sleeping in the arm chair for 3 weeks) pillows wedged all around me, and a spare duvet rolled up along side my left side and hug it.

When I say hug it I mean more like straddle it, left arm and leg wrapped around it. Also make sure your mum keeps her chest supported at all times but especially in bed, a pillow either side of her chest makes the world of difference.

Your mum is still very early days, but assure her it does get better, it seems like a long way off for her at the moment but as the weeks go by she will find herself improving.

Week 4 was a good week for me, but everyone is different.

Good luck to her ( and you) on her journey

[HeartSon1 in reply to Malteasers]

Thank you, that's really helpful. I wish you all the best with your recovery!

[Kincavel]

Hi My partner had CABG x 2 he is post op 5 weeks.

A) He sleeps propped up on two pillows and then the V shaped pillow on top of the two pillows so he has head/ neck support and his shoulders are also supported. He found this comfortable.

He found a technique to raise himself by ensuring no strain in sternum - we purchased a rise and tilt chair pre op so he didn't have to push himself up from the chair and he could recline back and dose during the day. I used to place my arm in the centre in front of his sternum like 💪this and he would grab it to assist him rising from the bed / seating position - I'm not strong but it helped him to sit forward to get in his feet.

We have a cushion that is a roll shape but you could roll a pillow/ cushion and tape it so when your mum coughs or sneezes she hugs this to her sternum to avoid stress on the chest.

B) Re mobility and spirometry - he would suck/ blow every hour with my encouragement in the first week then before each meal in subsequent weeks. I told him it would help clear his lungs so no chest infection post op and build up breathing and lung capacity.

Re mobility just a wander round the garden and house the first week then second week outside to on the flat before lunch and dinner for 10 mins ( 5 mins each way) 2nd week 20 mins each way by third week he was walking 2 miles accompanied by me. He is on wk 5 and walking 3 miles alone and walking up inclines.

Slowly building up his leg strength is important to him. He's 68yo cyclist, non smoker not overweight non drinker and his motivation is that he is keen to get back on his bike.

Maybe your mums motivation will to go on holiday, get back to meeting up with friends or back to her social events etc.

It's early days the first few weeks are tough - the sternum pain is supposed to be bad so if she takes painkillers before the walk or before bed and hopefully that will help until the bone knits back together. Good luck and ask anything you want . We found this blog really helpful.

[HeartSon1 in reply to Kincavel]

Thanks for your comment! I was just reading your other posts - was looking for thoughts on the funny colour and will ask my mum to talk to GP about iron levels and supplementation. She was also CABGd at Blackpool recently! Glad to hear your husband is building back up well and wish you both the best.