No History of Heart Problems

[Tammy0902]

My mother, who will be 70 this December, went to the doctor Monday of this week for a routine check-up. The doctor gave her an ECHOgram along with a few other tests. She was called back into his office 2 days later and was told that the backside of her heart had stopped working. She is scheduled for surgery this Tuesday. My mother has never had a heart attack or any heart problems of any kind. She also has had no pain or symptoms. Could someone please tell me what to expect or maybe a little something of what might be going on. I live 200 miles from my mother so I wasn't able to be at the doctor with her. I will, however, be there for her surgery. Any reassurance will help. I'm very scared and worried about her but don't want to let her know that. Thank you.

[Tammy0902]

Thank you for taking time to read and respond to my post. The information and suggestions that you given me have been very helpful and I will defiantly use them. I will let you know how everything turns out. Again, many thanks.

[often]

Tammy, I know how difficult this situation is for you.  Since the surgery is Tuesday and most likely the office is closed until then, try and snag the doc when he comes in to talk to your mom pre-op.  Most of them do this.  Also, see if you can get some kind of permission from your mom to the doc so that they will be able to give you info over the phone or via email.  

Let us know how things go on Tuesday.  

[Jack54]

Your Mom would not have surgery without first having an angiogram via a cardiac catheterization, which some people call surgery, but it is not. It is invasive though. Most likely this is what she is having, versus surgery. The doctor may find that a certain coronary artery, that supplies blood to the back side of her heart is blocked to some degree.

An angiogram is the gold standard for checking our arteries for blockages. It is a painless procedure. Google it to see how it is done. I have had 9 so far.

He may well be able to insert a stent to open a blocked artery, or she may have coronary artery disease in some of her major coronary arteries, which could involve coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. My Mother had CABG at 73 and felt great afterwards.

Instead of CABG, the cardiologist could insert several stents, if she has more than a couple of blockages.

You mention that your Mom had an echocardiogram along with a few other tests. If she has already had the angiogram, then you may be speaking of CABG surgery.

Hopefully she is having this surgery done at a large hospital, that does a high volume of bypass surgeries, if this is what you meant.

Have you phoned the cardiologist's nurse?

Your Mother's posterior area of her heart should start functioning much better after she gets her blocked arteries open. That is the good news.

I have assumed a lot in my post, instead of asking you many questions. But if she is having GABG, then she needs to hear recommendations from people here who have had this surgery, on tips for an easier recovery. They can help so much.

My prayers go out for your Mother,

Jack

[Tammy0902]

Support and faith can take someone a long way in stressful times. Thank you so much for your thoughtful and encouraging words.

[Sweetwaterguy]

Perhaps nothing is more anxiety producing than uncertainty.  The distances between you certainly add to the emotions you are feeling.  Be assured the practice of medicine has become incredibly sophisticated, and people who do this complex work have exceptional training and skills.  
One thing I have learned from my own heart issues, which are mild compared to many others on this forum, is that people with serious heart problems can often live well and live to nornal life expectancies if they adopt a heart healthy lifestyle and have appropriate medical care.  
Best of luck to you and your mom.