Mended Hearts Open Forum

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  • 1.  Rapid Heart beat after Bypass

    Posted 05-04-2022 20:53
    It has been a month since I had my surgery. I thought I was getting better except for the rapid heartbeat. They say this is common and will go away gradually. Anyone else experienced this and when did it go away? I was taking metropol but it made my blood pressure too low. I hope it gets better.
     Not only do I have to worry about this, got to deal with insurance, my employer's Bureaucracy getting short disability and the stress all this is causing my wife. When is the light at the end of the tunnel?

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    Godwin Wong
    Darien IL
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  • 2.  RE: Rapid Heart beat after Bypass

    Posted 05-05-2022 02:42
    Sorry about the difficulties.  No question that the uncertainties of OHS are stressful to the patient and family.  That's why there is Mended Hearts!  I had Mitral Valve Repair and my resting HR went to 90 which is nearly double what it was.  When I asked about why its so high all that was said was it's in the normal range!  Yikes!  I suppose if I woke up tomorrow morning 5 inches shorter than when i went to bed, it would be OK since its "...in the normal range!"  In my case, it took a long time, in the range of 3-6 months to get back to normal, but yes, it did return to normal and I was happy about that.  Recovery takes a lot more than a month.  Take care of yourself.

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    Ed M
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  • 3.  RE: Rapid Heart beat after Bypass

    Posted 05-05-2022 07:14
    Godwin,

    I can't tell you whether my heartbeat was rapid or not one month after surgery because it was only two weeks after awakening from my medically induced coma and was focused on learning to feed myself, lift my right arm above my waist and walk again.  I can tell you that, within six months, I was running and doing handstand pushups and pullups and had been working fulltime for three months.

    What I'm saying is give yourself some time to recover.  One month is nothing after open heart surgery. Think more in terms of one year.  This is a marathon, not a sprint.  And walk, walk, walk.  It will quickly build up your cardiovascular fitness and that will slow your heart rate.  By the way, metoprolol also lowers the heart rate if you can tolerate even a lower dose.

    Keep us posted.

    Ira

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    Ira Reid
    Hoboken NJ
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  • 4.  RE: Rapid Heart beat after Bypass

    Posted 05-05-2022 17:47
    Dear Godwin, I'm not a doctor, but I don't think you're heartbeat should be no higher than 90 bpm at rest. Always reach out to your medical team for questions. This is a long healing process. Your sternum is healing like a broken bone. Plus all your tendons and stuff is growing around it. You have a lot of metal in there that you are becoming one with. Go on short walks. Try not to use your arms and hands much. Try not to cross your feet. Sit up straight and keep your shoulders back. These are some small things that you can practice to ease the pain yourself. I promise they help. Godspeed your recovery!
    Carrie

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    [Carrie] [Kashani]
    Parapro
    ISD
    [White Bear Lake [MN]
    Carrie
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  • 5.  RE: Rapid Heart beat after Bypass

    Posted 05-05-2022 21:41
    Dear Godwin
    you are doing great for one month out!!!
    ask your doctor about the rapid heartbeat.
    It takes several months for you to truly feel better. Please praise and thank your wife for all she does for you… it is very stressful worrying about a lived one, especially when heart surgery is involved. Please arrange for something fun for her. If mended hearts has in person activities near your home, please go and meet sone “fellow Travelers “

    Marilyn B. Rosenhouse
    Mobile: (214)850-0655




  • 6.  RE: Rapid Heart beat after Bypass

    Posted 05-05-2022 21:59
    Thank you all. I really needed your words of encouragement and hope.

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    Godwin Wong
    Darien IL
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  • 7.  RE: Rapid Heart beat after Bypass

    Posted 05-09-2022 20:40
    Hi Godwin,
    I had open heart surgery last August for aortic valve replacement....and it is only recently that I had almost forgotten that I had it.  Be gentle on yourself as your body has been put through the mill.  It does take time to heal but the Cardiac Rehab program at  our local French Hospital which I entered six weeks post op accelerated my physical, mental and emotional healing... while also giving me the confidence to both push and create new limits in my recovery.  Take care and keep us posted on your progress!  Kat

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    Kat Edwards
    CA
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