My dad has to have open heart surgery. I'm so scared

Posted by zooeymat @zooeymat, Jan 9, 2023

Hello, my dad who is 72 and healthy had some heart palpitations in the last few months, and last week he did echo and they found out his mitral valve is in severe state.
They wanted to do an open heart surgery next week, but will probably do the minimally invasive surgery instead (to repair the valve). I trust his doctors but I am still very stressed.
Did someone went though this? Are you alright?

I am so scared I can't think of anything else and I just cry all the time and can't concentrate. I am about 100% more stressed than he is.

Any advice or encouragement will be appreciated

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart & Blood Health Support Group.

bella4728 | @bella4728 | Jan 30 4:00pm

In reply to @zooeymat "Thank you all so much for your replies! You helped me a lot." + (show)

Hey, I know it's been a long time since this post but my dad has just been diagnosed with the exact same thing and im as nervous and scared as you were. My dad is everything to me. How did it go? Was everything okay? I hope you're okay 🙂

Debra, Volunteer Mentor | @karukgirl | Jan 31 3:30pm

In reply to @bella4728 "Hey, I know it's been a long time since this post but my dad has just..." + (show)

Hello @bella4728, and welcome to Mayo Connect.
I'm so glad you found this group and like you said, it has been over a year since this thread was active, but you still may get some information by reading what other members posted to ease @zooeymat 's anxious thoughts.
My sweet mama had open heart surgery 30 years ago at age 65, and lived until she was 94. I feel like I know your anxiety! The surgery has been perfected over the years and risks, though real, are much less than years gone by.
On the flip-side: I had open heart surgery too. At the Mayo in Rochester three years ago, and I can tell you I was nervous. I had a wonderful support person, and God, and the two combined were so valuable to me. Only the person going through this knows what it is like, so being able to be a strong advocate and supporter is the best thing you can do for your dad.
He needs you to be strong for his sake, and I bet he wants to protect you and shield you from fear.
That is why Mayo Connect is so helpful. Connect offers a place for you to come vent, share, even virtually cry on our shoulder.
We are here to support each other and listen with open minds and open arms.
When is your dad's surgery scheduled?
Is it going to be open heart or the minimally invasive?

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