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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lauren66 | @lauren66 | Jan 3 3:44pm

In reply to @wr61 "What medication did this to you, what was changed? Bicuspid A V With an open probably..." + (show)

@wr61 I'm currently on Clopidogrel because I had a bad reaction to Brilinta. It's interesting how differently people respond to medications. I'm seeing the cardiologist next week so I'll ask him if he thinks one of my meds could be causing the problem. I've been in cardiac rehab for several weeks now and it's really amazing. Honestly, I've done really well with my recovery so I'm surprised that all of a sudden I have anxiety issues.

aard | @aard | Jan 4 8:28am

Glad to hear you are in cardic rehab and are doing very well with it; I found it very helpful in my recovery. Anxiety is normal, hang in there. I haven't taken and of the meds you are on. I've taken diltiazem and eliquis (still on those two), flecainide, and a short course of amiodarone. I have not had any back reactions to any of them.
All the best.

lauren66 | @lauren66 | Jan 4 10:27am

In reply to @aard "Glad to hear you are in cardic rehab and are doing very well with it; I..." + (show)

@aard I'm hoping it's just a temporary problem, because there are days when I don't feel like myself and wonder if this is my "new normal".

htaish | @htaish | Jan 4 4:37pm

My husband had a similar problem after his open heart surgery. My question is, do you have PTSD? My husband did, because of injuries in Vietnam, so the experience caused excessive anxiety, which raises blood pressure and can cause a pounding sensation.

lauren66 | @lauren66 | Jan 4 7:04pm

In reply to @htaish "My husband had a similar problem after his open heart surgery. My question is, do you..." + (show)

@htaish No, the only PTSD I've experienced is from the bypass surgery. I was told that its common with heart patients. I'm so sorry your husband has been living with PTSD since Vietnam. Does he see a therapist? I wish you both well.

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