Unexpected Bypass Surgery

Hello. My father just went through a successful bypass surgery in Detroit 2 weeks ago and is recovering extremely well.  He is 67 years old, healthy, good cholesterol numbers, physically active (prior to surgery) and drank occasionally. He has always had annual check-ups with our fine physician (every Nov.) with all the necessary tests for his age.

A week before his surgery he was stung by a bee and he seemed to have a bad reaction, (bad arm and neck pain) so mother took him to the ER.  After an EKG, several tests, and some abnormal results, they did the cardiac cath and found three blockages (and 4 once they got in to do the bypass).

My questions: Why did this occur without us or our physician seeing any of the warning signs? AND  How quickly do blockages occur?

Like I mentioned my father is 6 foot, 160 lbs, always healthy and this seemed to have happened suddenly.  We just wonder how we could have missed something so serious.

My father is recovering very well and the cardiac surgeon said his healthy lifestyle previous is a big reason, so we ARE thankful for that.  Father is a little discouraged that this happened to him so suddenly.  Any ideas how we can encourage him?

Thank you so much for your time and attention to this question.
Sincerely,
cristabelle

[CCF-M.D.-MJM]

Hi Critstabelle,

I am sorry to hear about your father.  These situations can present suddenly, although the blockages develop over a lifetime.  If your father complained of chest pains, arm pains, neck pains, etc. and your dictor seemngly ignored them, then yes I would worry about the judgement.  If your father was having no symptoms there is essentually no reason for stress testing asymtomatic people unless they are in high risk specialties like airline pilots.  The reason for not testing asymptomatic people is that there is no benefit to treating asymptomatic blockages.  Frequent testing in asymptomatic patients would lead to false positive tests and potentially treating coronary disease that did not need bypass or stenting. Every test or procedure that we do can have complications and we don't want to put people at risk for complications if the risk is not outweighed by the benefit.

It is possible that you father had asymptomatic coronary disease and the bee sting caused enough "stress" to rupture a plaque in one of the coronary arteries.  This could lead to chest pains that weren't present with the stable coronary disease.  I am over simplifying this --  there are many more possibilities than I am listing.

Depression is very common after events like this.  People that think they are in great health are suddenly forced to think abou their own mortality.  They also commonly are afraid to get back into orindary life again. Cardiac rehabilitation is a great option to help re-develop confidence in their physical fitness and well being.  It will take time.  A good friend of mine had open heart surgery at age 35 2 years ago.  It took him about 4-6 months to get back to normal and like a said, he was 35.  Remind him this is normal to feel less confident and by all means do not treat him like he is sick.  Sometimes being treated like you are sick only reinforces his concerns.

I hope this helps.  Good luck to your father and thanks for posting.

[cristabelle]

Hello,
Thank you for the insight answers, kind regards and comments about supporting my father during this time.  I especially appreciate the part about "not treating him like he is sick".  Thank you also for clueing me in that these cardiac events can present suddenly.  

Sincerely,
cristabelle

[Poli3]

I know how your father feels,what kind of mental turmoil is is going through.
The same thing happened to me,felt fine, no symptoms, and woke up one night with severe jaw pain that I took to be a bad toothache.Got so bad I went to the ER where they said I had a heart attack.Then bypass surgery next.I developed atrial fibrillation due to the surgery which they said would correct itself as the heart healed,put me on amiordorone and sent me home.
For 2 weeks I was afraid to do anything,got into a deep depression so bad I used to pray to God to take me as I slept.
I though I was  burden to everyone.Didn't do anything at all but lay around the house.
Mornings I would drag myself out of bed,but one morning I decided to get dressed and go for a short walk.Each day I went farther and farther.Then I slowly got back into my usual activities,went to cardio rehab where a lot of people had the same problem.It was a relief to know that it was common.
I am able to go off the amiordorone now and take something else.
Just support your dad,and he will come along fine.It has been 5 months since my bypass and I feelgreat mentally and phisically.
God Bless.

[cristabelle]

Thank you for your insight, especially since you have been there.  That means so much.
My father is also on amoridadone and had the same rhythm variation that you mentioned! It gives me alot of hope that 5 months down the road you are doing so well.  I was hoping to hear from someone with similar experience.

cristabelle

[anacyde]

I'm glad to hear your father is doing well after his surgery.  Thank goodness the bee sting got him to the hospital for those tests.  I don't usually have much good to say about bees, but that one might have been a life saver!

I understand your father must be frustrated to have something like this happen out of the blue when he seemed to be doing so well.  My father had his triple bypass when he was only 47 and he too passed his tests with flying colors.  He had been having heart symptoms for about five years prior to his actual heart event, and had been sent home from the emergency room no fewer than five times being told he had some heartburn.  Heart symptoms can be really mild and non-specific sometimes.

My dad did really well with the depression at first, he had none.  He was active as soon as they'd let him and he was used to taking lots of pills for Chrons disease, so a couple more didn't bother him.  But once he stopped being active and quit walking daily, the depression hit him hard.  Encourage your dad to stay active, it's the best thing he can do for himself physically and mentally.

And the doc made a GREAT point...don't treat him like he's sick.  My mom treated my dad like fragile china and it only made him feel worse, like he was going to drop dead any second, as he put it.  My sister and I got tough with him and told him to get out and exercise ;)  And I know a lot of people who have gotten a lot of benefit from cardiac rehab.  It can help him learn how much is safe so he will feel more comfortable exercising on his own.  We've unfortunately had a lot of these surgeries in my family, so we've learned that it definitely helps.  It's good too if you have cold miserable winters like we do here, when you can't walk around outside and enjoy it.

Best wishes to your family :)  

[cristabelle]

Hello, and thanks so very much for the helpful words.  Glad to hear this isn't an isolated incident.
My sisters and I are going to be a little tougher I see than we are used to when father goes into rehab.  On the bright side, my mother and father usually winter in FL, so he will have no excuse about getting out and about back into his normal walking/exercise routine. (I guess we don't know how the Florida plan is going to go this season, because it depends on his recovery and finding competent physicians he is comfortable with in Melbourne).  I guess we will cross that bridge when we get closer to NOV.  

We are just fortunate for him coming through surgery well and YES, even as you say, for that ole bee sting!

Thanks again for your words, always enjoy reading your comments and questions anacyde.

cristabelle

[Flycaster305]

I'm your father's age, have had heart problems. I work out every day with a group of men that age that have heart issues. Doc gave wonderful advice, he no doubt has seen many tough guys, men used to working out, doing the right things, making the wheel turn at work brought to their knees with serious heart troubles.  Keep him working out, and he will see that heart surgery was a blessing, he probably will feel good about himself if everyone around him is proud of his progress.  I printed your question, gave it to my workout buddies and this is a group report of fellows his age and older.  Just stay positive.

[cristabelle]

Thank you for the words about keeping my father working out.

I'm glad to hear about you and your comrades.  I'm sure the accountability helps, and again, thanks for your imput because I thought my father was an isolated case.  But now, from this forum I learn this is not so and it comforts my entire family right now.
cristabelle

[aproverbs31woman]