Many thanks for your reply. I had a suspicion that it could be depression as I was told it is one of the "side-effects" of such an operation but will most probably correct itself within 6 months to a year after the operation. My only problem is getting him to a doctor for evaluation as he very stubborn.
Even though I have managed to get him back to playing golf which he enjoys, I was very surprised to hear from him that he is not "supposed" to be working yet as I was assured from his Thoracic Surgeon that he could start getting into it slowly after 6-8 weeks. What is the normal time span before they can resume their normal live? ie. working, driving, physical and strenous activities/work?
I have also noticed he is getting a lot of heartburn, is that a condition I should worry about? Is that another indication he might be leading to another heart attack? He did have his general check-up with the Cardiac Surgeon 2 months ago and they said he is fine and his heart is strong.
Open heart surgery is a large undertaking and can certainly take a toll on both a person's mind and body. It is certainly reasonable to make lifestyle changes such as eating healthier, exercising regularly, and abstaining from risk factors (such as smoking, alcohol, etc). However, a fear of going back to work or losing interest in things that used to bring happiness is not a normal phenomenon and might signal another emotional disturbance - such as depression. This should be evaluated further by your regular physician should these symptoms persist or other warning signs should surface (sleep disturbances, appetite changes, etc).
If there are any unusual physical complaints - especially where a chest tube was previously placed, it is best to consult your cardiologist/cardiothoracic surgeon for regular follow-up to make sure there is no evidence of a post-operative/procedural complication (such as an infection, fluid collection, etc). This may be a normal phenomenon but should really be evaluated by a licensed physician.