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Severe anxiety and pounding heartbeat after open heart surgery

Posted by lisabis68 @lisabis68, May 17, 2023

Anyone find that after open heart surgery their heart is thudding out of their chest? I had aerotic anneurysm repair and LCABG, 55 years old. I'm 4 months post surgery, but have been experiencing this pounding heartbeat off and on for a couple months. It is NOT paliptations, my heartrate is around 60 give or take when this happens. Had a heart holter monitor on for 4 days, cardiologist said no major issues but a few episodes of A tach. This makes me extremely nervous, and I've definitely been much more emotional, anxious and nervous since all of this. My cardiologist is not searching for an answer for me...has anyone experienced this? What could this be? Should I seek a 2nd opinion. Every day I am worried, and I know how bad stress is....its a losing battle right now. I need some direction, advice, hope. Thank you!

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js555 | @js555 | Jul 29 9:33am

Thanks for the kind words...
I have a good cardio one of the best surgeons did my surgery my heart rate is good pressure good for the most part.
The stress to my body I am beginning to think along with other docs is my anxiety and stress that has sprouted since the surgery.
This is the worst feeling and it gives me added fatigue and pain and I already have a bad back that has set me back.
It is really hard to cope when a year ago I was invincible maybe except for bad days on my back.
I talk I take Zoloft which is another fiasco with my gut often and that's not a positive thing I need, just trying to lower cortisol...
With supplements etc...
I hate how I feel and the life I now have. I had a dream to live in a place that I would be away from a big city and now it seems impossible as obviously I have to have medical care.
God forbid something happens when I'm away these days.
So it makes me stay at home with my dogs which are the only thing I feel I live for, unless I'm working I don't leave the house.
Life sucks and it is way too depressing.
Has anyone felt this way ?
Has anyone had their cortisol elevated 9 months after ?
How did you deal ?

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swilkins1974 | @swilkins1974 | Jul 30 7:15am
In reply to @dmaz "Please share the name of this medication. Thanks in advance" + (show)
Profile picture for dmaz @dmaz

Please share the name of this medication. Thanks in advance

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Clopidogrel

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aard | @aard | Jul 30 10:27am
In reply to @js555 "I hear mine specially at night while I sleep on my side. It's been 9 months..." + (show)
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I hear mine specially at night while I sleep on my side.
It's been 9 months since the open heart aortic valve replacement a bovine valve.
I hate everything about it and I hate how I feel and what I can't do ...
I wish I never did it and a wished nature took its course, a huge regret having done it since dec9 I have been depressed can't do ahit
Can't surf mtn bike anything today I was in Colorado for vacation and the fatigue due to high cortisol made me go home slipped fly fishing my passion and I'm pissed.
Sad and dejected !
I hate that is so much and I would have been fine without it.
Seeing my scar makes me feel like shit and nothing is bettering pain fatigue and zero zest for life, even fly fishing surfing and mtn biking ... I don't what a relationship I have zero and no aexual drive and I would hate to have a relationship let alone be social.
I talk to the shrink I have meds I hurt and I'm fatigued daily and I wish I never did it before you do so this think about your life will never be the same big chance of that.
The worse mistake I ever made.

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If you have an opportunity to attend a good Cardiac Rehabilitation program, I would highly recommend it. You would have people in a similar situation to talk with about it and a group of nurses to help you get back on your feet, set realistic goals to work toward your recovery, and help you determine what are capable of as time progresses.

My Cardiac Rehab program was invaluable to me.
I wish you all the best!

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js555 | @js555 | Jul 30 3:57pm

I think they listen... I also think the anxiety and depression have the best of me.
Cortisol high and I stress a lot for what's to come.
Also worry about the gland where the cortisol comes from ... can't help it, it happens.
My meds are few pain meds for other issues from being very active on the past and some anxiety depression things that my gut does not agree with.
It's tiring and annoying and makes me really not like where I'm at right now.
I move forward but something inside me keeps me back, need to figure that out.
Thanks ❤️

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wr61 | @wr61 | Jul 30 8:55pm
In reply to @swilkins1974 "Please look at your medications. Some can cause anxiety. My doctor kept telling me the med..." + (show)
Profile picture for swilkins1974 @swilkins1974

Please look at your medications. Some can cause anxiety. My doctor kept telling me the med does not cause anxiety and loss of appetite. So I continued until all hell broke loose. I had severe chest pain, rash, throwing up and rushed to hospital. Changed the meds and I was back to my old self in days.

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What medication did this to you, what was changed? Bicuspid A V With an open probably in my future. Sorry don't mean to pry 😊

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wr61 | @wr61 | Jul 30 9:09pm
In reply to @karinkb "I had open heart surgery 5 years ago for an aortic aneurysm repair and replacing my..." + (show)
Profile picture for karinkb @karinkb

I had open heart surgery 5 years ago for an aortic aneurysm repair and replacing my aortic valve replaced with a biosynthetic valve. It takes about a year to fully recover. If your cardiologist and your surgeon are not listening get a second opinion. Ask friends and acquaintances xor recommendations of cardiologists and surgeons that listen and respond more appropriately. Use mental health resources such as crisis lines, warm lines, and therapy. Many hospitals have support groups of others who have had the same or similar surgeries. I can tell you that five years out I am feeling much better, but recovery takes awhile.

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Sorry but I'm not aware of a biosynthetic valve. Did you mean bioprosthetic valve?

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karinkb | @karinkb | Jul 30 10:54pm
In reply to @wr61 "Sorry but I'm not aware of a biosynthetic valve. Did you mean bioprosthetic valve?" + (show)
Profile picture for wr61 @wr61

Sorry but I'm not aware of a biosynthetic valve. Did you mean bioprosthetic valve?

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No, it is a combination and is fairly new.

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swilkins1974 | @swilkins1974 | Jul 31 8:08pm
In reply to @wr61 "What medication did this to you, what was changed? Bicuspid A V With an open probably..." + (show)
Profile picture for wr61 @wr61

What medication did this to you, what was changed? Bicuspid A V With an open probably in my future. Sorry don't mean to pry 😊

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Clopidogrel. Switched to brilinta.

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deniseheart | @deniseheart | Jul 31 10:47pm
In reply to @aard "If you have an opportunity to attend a good Cardiac Rehabilitation program, I would highly recommend..." + (show)
Profile picture for aard @aard

If you have an opportunity to attend a good Cardiac Rehabilitation program, I would highly recommend it. You would have people in a similar situation to talk with about it and a group of nurses to help you get back on your feet, set realistic goals to work toward your recovery, and help you determine what are capable of as time progresses.

My Cardiac Rehab program was invaluable to me.
I wish you all the best!

Jump to this post

Cardiac rehab was a game changer for me. I lived in fear and anxiety for four years before I attended rehab. It’s the best confidence booster.

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