Aa
Irregular heartbeat following bypass surgery
My father had a double bypass operation and was found to have an irregular heartbeat following the surgery. Is this common and/or life threatening? Will he need a pacemaker? He is 65 yrs. old and suffered a heart attack 10 years ago.
Irregular heart rhythms are common after bypass surgery, often due to inflammation from the surgery that resolves in a few days. Usually, such rhythms are not life-threatening, though it may prolong his hospital stay. It is unlikely that this will reuslt in the need for a pacemaker.
The developement of Arrhythmia after bypass surgery is not an uncoomon event. In some cases, the developed arrythmia can cause serious complications such as the developement of chronic bracycardia or tacycardia, and a pace maker may be needed. A current study is looking into the affects of revascularization before bypass surgeries to combat potential complications such as arrythmia, but results have not yet been produced. I would continue to schedual regular appointments with a cadriologist to keep an eye on this condition as well as other conditions that may develope.
You are reading content posted in the Heart Disease Forum
Is a low-fat diet really that heart healthy after all? James D. Nicolantonio, PharmD, urges us to reconsider decades-long dietary guidelines.
Can depression and anxiety cause heart disease? Get the facts in this Missouri Medicine report.
Fish oil, folic acid, vitamin C. Find out if these supplements are heart-healthy or overhyped.
Learn what happens before, during and after a heart attack occurs.
What are the pros and cons of taking fish oil for heart health? Find out in this article from Missouri Medicine.
How to lower your heart attack risk.
