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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
High heart rate after surgery
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
High heart rate after surgery
by jpareyt, Dec 15, 2003 12:00AM
My Dad had open heart surgery last Sunday, after a massive heart attack the day before. He needed a triple bypass because 2 of the 3 major ateries were 100% blocked and the other was about 95% blocked. He is still in the hospital and his heart rate is high. They are having trouble lowering it and keeping it that way. For a while yesterday, it was at about 112, but lately it's back in the 130's and 140's.
I'm very worried about my Dad. Does anyone out there know anything about this and know anything that might have worked in the past?
thank you!
I'm very worried about my Dad. Does anyone out there know anything about this and know anything that might have worked in the past?
thank you!
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-M.D.-RCJ, Dec 15, 2003 12:00AM
jpareyt,
Thanks for the post, and sorry to hear of your family's ordeal.
Unfortunately, chances are that the fast heart rate is an appropriate response to your Dad's illness. When we exercise, develop an infection, fever, are scared, or suffer large heart attacks; a natural response is tachycardia (fast heart rate). Slowing down the heart rate without correcting the underlying illness/affliction can be detrimental. Some of the worst mistakes I have seen are when well-meaning doctors slow down the heart rate without properly investigating why it was fast in the first place.
Make sure that a cardiologist, as well as the surgeon, is following your Dad's care. And consider moving him to a large center (if he is not at one) if you don't like what you see.
Best of luck.
Thanks for the post, and sorry to hear of your family's ordeal.
Unfortunately, chances are that the fast heart rate is an appropriate response to your Dad's illness. When we exercise, develop an infection, fever, are scared, or suffer large heart attacks; a natural response is tachycardia (fast heart rate). Slowing down the heart rate without correcting the underlying illness/affliction can be detrimental. Some of the worst mistakes I have seen are when well-meaning doctors slow down the heart rate without properly investigating why it was fast in the first place.
Make sure that a cardiologist, as well as the surgeon, is following your Dad's care. And consider moving him to a large center (if he is not at one) if you don't like what you see.
Best of luck.
Member Comments (3)
by DottyCece, Dec 15, 2003 12:00AM
It is not at all uncommon to have rapid heart rates after open heart surgery. For example, atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter are very common after surgery. These arrhythmias can be treated fairly easily with medications and if not successful with meds, an electrophysiologist will have other options. I had these arrhythmias before and after surgery. It is difficult to cope with the increase in rates but I am sure your Dad's medical team are doing everything possible to get it under control. The fact that he had a heart attack before surgery will complicate the picture somewhat.
by jpareyt, Dec 15, 2003 12:00AM
They seem to be having trouble with the right medications. Any idea which ones helped you?
