Mended Hearts Open Forum

Hello,

This winter I'll mark 5 years since my open heart surgery (5x bypass). I feel generally good. But still today I have a sensation on the left side of my chest - it's not painful, but disconcerting. It's as if I can feel something is different in there - because it is of course - like there's a slight pinch of a clamp. I've talked with my cardiologist about this and he assures me it's common and OK. And logically, I believe that to be the case. But I still worry. I'm wondering if anyone else has such a sensation, this far out from surgery.

Thanks,

Dan

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Dan Brennan
Graphic Designer
Madison WI
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Hi, Dan,

Congrats on being post 5 years and feeling good. It's been longer for me (17 years) - I had 3 stents placed in my right coronary artery and 1 in my left descending while having a heart attack - and I do remember for the first few years after having sharp sensations from time to time around my heart both left and right sides. My cardiologist felt that it had to do with the muscle, it was muscular and not to worry. I haven't had those feelings for many years now. I train regularly with weights and zone 2 cardio - being in better shape may have caused those sensations to end. Hope this helps, take care and good luck to you.

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Mike Anthony
River Edge, NJ
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Thanks Mike. Helpful.

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Dan Brennan
Graphic Designer
Madison WI
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-25-2024 13:04
From: Michael Anthony
Subject: Chest discomfort

Hi, Dan,

Congrats on being post 5 years and feeling good. It's been longer for me (17 years) - I had 3 stents placed in my right coronary artery and 1 in my left descending while having a heart attack - and I do remember for the first few years after having sharp sensations from time to time around my heart both left and right sides. My cardiologist felt that it had to do with the muscle, it was muscular and not to worry. I haven't had those feelings for many years now. I train regularly with weights and zone 2 cardio - being in better shape may have caused those sensations to end. Hope this helps, take care and good luck to you.

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Mike Anthony
River Edge, NJ
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Next month I celebrate 2 years post op for CABG3 & Mitral replacement.  I still get occasional sternum discomfort which my Cardiologist and Primary Doc say is nerve endings seeking new pathways. It's like a quick electrical impulse flashing across a small area in my chest tissue.  Two of the arteries were taken from my chest...one each side of the incision, so the entire chest area has gone through some major trauma, for sure.  My Primary had OHS 30 years ago and knows the symptoms well.  It takes time and each person heal differently, but according to both doctors, this is common. 

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Michael Brown
Retired
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I used a good quality St John's Wort oil on my scar after it was healed for nerve tingling and sensitivity-worked good and I am almost 1 year post op Aortic Valve Replacement

Sent from my iPad


Original Message:
Sent: 3/15/2025 6:45:00 AM
From: Michael Brown
Subject: RE: Chest discomfort

Next month I celebrate 2 years post op for CABG3 & Mitral replacement.  I still get occasional sternum discomfort which my Cardiologist and Primary Doc say is nerve endings seeking new pathways. It's like a quick electrical impulse flashing across a small area in my chest tissue.  Two of the arteries were taken from my chest...one each side of the incision, so the entire chest area has gone through some major trauma, for sure.  My Primary had OHS 30 years ago and knows the symptoms well.  It takes time and each person heal differently, but according to both doctors, this is common. 

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Michael Brown
Retired
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