Bypass for an aged women

Dear Sir,
My Mother(Aged 72 Yrs)suffering severe Chest Pain for the last 2 weeks
and admitted in hospital.After taking Angiogram,Doctors saying that she
is having Five nos. of Major Blocks and 2nos of minor Blocks.They are
advicing for a Bypass Surgery.She is not a diabetic Patient or not
having any other major physical problems.Some doctors not agreeing with
bypass because of her age.
Pls advice.

Regards,

Biji

[grand daughter]

look for all my posts and you will see what we are going thru now wiht my grandpa who is 84 and was healthy and now after bypass surgery last week is battling to live....

[Sweetwaterguy]

Lets not regard age 72 to be all that old.  If she has enjoyed good health it is easy to predict she has many years of quality life left.  
  A bypass can be truly life saving and is often the only option.  For some, there are other options,  and sometimes these problems can be treated with drugs and lifestyle changes.   Certainly a discussion with your mother and her doctor can help you and your mother understand if there are equal or better options to a bypass.  
  But at 72 and without other significant medical complications, heart bypass today has become fairly routine, and the recovery rates are very high.  
  These major illnesses are very scary, for family members as well as the patient.  Please listen to the experts.  They can help your mother understand the risks and benefits of any treatment they might recommend.  

[Poli3]

I had a double bypass 2 years ago.I was 72 then.
I also have only one kidney,so we were a bit concerned how that would do with the surgery.

I feel very  good now,taking my meds and watching my diet,as well as excersizing.I just walk actually,every day as much as I can.Also go to a gym on bad days.I live in Canada,so our winters get quite cold and the gym is a big help.

Maybe you should get another opinion or two,and if she is fine otherwise she should be okay.
God Bless

[Barbarella]

My mother in law was 75 yrs old when she had bypass surgery.  It took forever for her to come out of the anesthesia, she was fine and alert and mentally very healthy before the bypass, after she finally got out of the anesthesia and since then she had lost her memory, her bowel and bladder control and had to go in a nursing home for the next 6 yrs not knowing or recognizing her family members until she died.

Docs had no explanation and "think" that she "might" had a stroke during bypass surgery, but could never tell us for sure "why" she ended up losing her memory and having to wear diapers.

Its a very tough decision.  The docs will paint that picture that your loved one is a walking time bomb and can die anytime unless she/he has bypass surgery.  If you do not agree with the bypass surgery and she/he will get a heart attack or stroke you will have a guilt trip for the rest of your lifes.

I really do not know what to tell you I can only tell you what happened to my mother in law.

Good luck with whatever decision you are going to make.

[Papethova]

Procedures have changed in the recent years.  Yes stroke is a possible complication but its more minimal now that CABG can be performed off pump.  I know first hand of a patient who was 50 and made it through surgery but never home from the hospital bc of a stroke.  I also know patients who were home in 3 days, much older than 50.  Its difficult to compare one case with another and the results always vary but patients who have had off pump CABG are very different from those who were on pump.

The most important thing to do is not rush into surgery unless its an emergency situation.  Do your research, look into the surgeons education and experience.  You dont just get lucky and get accepted to a good medical school or residency program.  Try to find surgeons that use less evasive techniques, ie off pump CABG. Dont be afraid to ask questions.  Most people ask more questions when buying a car.  This is your life or your loved ones life.  CABG is a serious medical procedure.  Also, dont stop being persistent when the surgery is over.  Recovery time in the hospital is crucial and minimizing the time in the hospital is important.  Ask the nurses questions, make sure the meds are being administered and on time.  Dont assume you will get the level of care you deserve, make sure you get it.

There are great physicians and nurses out there, but everyone in uniform doesnt necesarily deserve to be there.  If the nurse is inadequate dont be afraid to ask for a different nurse.  The squeaky wheel gets the oil.