Mended Hearts Open Forum

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  • 1.  cabg x3 under the age of 50

    Posted 01-13-2019 06:21
    After my surgery I searched around and did not find any info on people in there late 40s returning to a physically active career. As a matter of fact I didn't find any info on people my age . It has been 6months since surgery -end of June and returned to work end of October

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    Dave Klein
    OH
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  • 2.  RE: cabg x3 under the age of 50

    Posted 01-13-2019 20:47
    After I became a member of Mended Hearts I started recieving the magazine "Heartbeat" There have been several stories of folks from 7 to 70 returning to active lives. I returned to work 8 weeks after my Quad bypass and I was 65 at the time. Many folks are running in competition races, swimming and weight lifting.
    Everyone is different and your process will be easier them some and harder than others.
    Just remember if you want to run a marathon you have to work your way into it slowly at first. The same holds true for heart recovery. You can and will get to be as active as your body will allow with the assist from your doctor, cardiac rehab staff and your desire to keep moving forward. 
    Being discouraged at times is normal but you can get back to feeling yourself.
    Good luck and congradulations on your recovery.

    Richard Short
    CA  





  • 3.  RE: cabg x3 under the age of 50

    Posted 01-14-2019 10:17
    Hi,

    I am now 60 but had quintuple bypass at the age of 43. I returned to work about 6 weeks after the surgery, completed the rehab process, and felt pretty good after a few months. Since then, I really have not felt constrained by my surgery/CAD, other than limiting my activity outside when it is really hot or really cold. Best of luck! - Mike/OH





  • 4.  RE: cabg x3 under the age of 50

    Posted 01-14-2019 10:26
    Dave,
    Don’t let the fact that you haven’t seen anything about you age group bother you. There are many many people of all age groups who have been through heart surgery and are doing very well. In fact many, myself included, are doing much better and living a much healthier life than before. Since joining Mended Hearts and becoming a visitor I have visited with many patients from 17 to 93 years old. I don’t know how active they are or what they do but I know we all got a second chance at life and hopefully we will make the necessary changes and live this new life to the fullest. I’m not bragging but following my CABG x 5 in 2006 and a stint in 2013 I do anything I want to. I have done 5k and 10k events, been skydiving twice and ridden over 350,000 miles on my motorcycles. Sure, I had to make some some changes in my diet and exercising but these are changes we can live with. There will be days when you feel down but like a lady I visited with told me one time, “the sun doesn’t shine everyday, we have rainy days too”. Do as your doctors tell you and take the rainy days in stride. You will do fine and you can be one to share your success with others. Best of luck as you move forward in your second chance at life.
    Tommy Broughton, age 75
    Chapter 28
    Richmond, Va.

    Sent from my iPad




  • 5.  RE: cabg x3 under the age of 50

    Posted 01-14-2019 22:51
    Thanks for the encouragement,it seemed everyone I saw at the hospital was older and everyone at cardio rehab as well or they were younger and had a stent.  I had an aneurysm in the widow maker and two blockages very unexpected with minimal symptoms. Been a long slow healing process and still in physical therapy for shoulder damage,apperantly I came out of anesthesia roughly.  They told me random chest pains are normal part of recovery it continues to be a strange journey but it's encouraging to hear that what I think of as my new normal will improve
    Thanks Again



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    Dave Klein
    OH
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  • 6.  RE: cabg x3 under the age of 50

    Posted 01-15-2019 14:01
    Yes the "New Normal" will change from week to week and month to month. It does get better. There will still be ups and downs but the ups will start to last longer and the downs will get shorter. Just hang in there, your are on the right track.

    Richard Short
    CA





  • 7.  RE: cabg x3 under the age of 50

    Posted 01-16-2019 11:09
    ​After a heart event, physical healing is just the beginning.  Survivors often encounter substantial emotional swings, including fear, anger, guilt, depression, and more.  The secret I've found helpful is to develop a regular practice of gratitude!  See my book for more info.  Good luck on your healing journey!

    https://www.amazon.com/New-Better-Now-Gratitude-Thriving/dp/0692166637/


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    Michael Hesser
    Ascendis
    Evergreen CO
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  • 8.  RE: cabg x3 under the age of 50

    Posted 01-14-2019 12:17
    There is a group on facebook called "CARDIAC ATHLETES " which I invite you to join. It contains daily posts of those pursuing active lives after having a significant cardiac event.

    .