My brother is having quadruple open-heart bypass surgery tomorrow.?

Question

with blockages of between 95 and 100%. My questions are:
1. Can you direct me to a site which explains the procedure in simple terms
2. What caused it? He's 62, doesn't smoke, was a champion squash player, a little overweight, drinks wine in moderation.
3. Is it heriditary? (My mother died of a heart attack when she was 76)
4. At 48, should I be be having my heart checked?

Thank you all so much for your answers, support and prayers.

Answer 1

1. An American Heart Association site is shown below which discusses bypass. Basically they take a vein (most likely out of your leg(s)) and use it to bypass clogged arteries feeding blood to your heart muscle. To begin with there is some swelling of the legs because the veins are gone but this gets better over time.

2&3.Genetics are a strong indicator or coronary artery diease. Both my parents had problems ( my mother died from it) and I found I'd had a massive heart attack (silent) within 5 years when I was 44. When I went in my cholestrol was 110. Plaque ruptures are a likely cause of blockages. See link.

4. You really should get checked out throughly. The risks are extremely high. I suggest you discuss the matter with a cardiologist if you have an opportunity. I personally would not rely on a GP. I have included a link on heart attack symptoms. If you get dizzy or winded go NOW.

Bonus: Heart attacks can have many different symptoms ranging from the classic Fred Sanford movie heart attack to no symptoms at all. Silent heart attacks are particularly dangerous because the heart compensates by working harder and enlarging resulting in heart failure which is deadly. The moral is to go to the hospital if you feel the least bit wierd. That little pain that came and went may be your only warning.

I'm a CHF patient, 22% EF.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Quadruple Heart Bypass

Answer 4

2

Answer 5

I am sorry I don't have the sites to direct you to, but I can give you the best of what I have to try to help. My Dad had a sudden heart-attack and emergency triple bypass surgery at 58, he came out of the surgery sore and needed a month to recover but when it was all said and done he was more healthy than he had been in years. My Dad was a lifelong smoker, partied hard in his (35 year) youth and ate chicken fried steak and eggs almost every morning for 20 years. :)
I have read that there are hereditary factors so it is probably wise and will definitely not hurt to have yourself checked as recommended by a reputable cardiologist. Additionally, there are some excellent natural supplements to take that will do wonders for your heart, take CoQ10 with Vitamin E and a good B-Complex. A good book to read is "Prescription for Nutritional Healing". Best of luck and I hope this helps. I am sure your brother will be fine, hopefully even better than ever and you are on the right track already thinking of preventative measures for yourself.

Answer 6

All good questions.

I've had three angioplasties in the past and a triple bypass 13 years ago. You go in scared because all of a sudden you're facing a life or death situation. Today's surgical successes are very good, but there is still risk with this type surgery.

1 Look on internet for coronary artery bypass surgery. It can get complicated but should give you a pretty good idea about the surgical procedure.

2. It's good that your brother is a non-smoker and maintains a fairly active lifestyle. Exercise is a good way to reduce the risk of coronary artery disease. Elevated colesteral levels. plaque in the blood stream, blood pressure, stress and heredity all can impact the risk of heart disease.

3. Cerrtainly it can be hereditary. My mom had high blood pressure. It was so high that a heart valve ripped. When it did, her blood pressure dropped to near normal and she lived another 10 years. I had a brother with igh blood pressure who died at 43 from a sudden caronary infarction.

4. At your age you should go to your doctor and get a thorough physical examination. You'll want EKG, EEG, thalium stress test, blood work, enhanced x-rays of heart and lungs.

I hope all goes well with your brother's surgery. He'll have some discomfort. They're going to want him to cough and that's going to hurt a lot where they split his chest apart. Follow yiour cardiologist's instructions. He should get into a monitored exercise program as quickly as he is physically up to it and push to meet their expectations. Watch diet.

Will be offering a prayer that all goes well with your brother.

Answer 7

Dear Friend, I had 3 blocks by-passed in Sri Lanka by an Indian Doctor Called Dr. Kesava Dev. A brilliant role model doctor. Now medication has improved so much this type of operation has become very common. Your brother will be okay in ten days time and will be normal in six week time. Trust the Good Lord helps the doctor performing the operation. He will feel better after the operation. So cheer Up and tell your brother to cheer up. and look forward for the operation.

Answer 8

hi very sorry to hear about your brothers illness. i think you should check out a few heart health websites to se if they can answer your questions and maybe put you at ease. I dont think heart problems are heriditary but again get youeself checked out with the doctor. Im 26 going to the gym a few times a week and try to eat healthy food. But as far as i know my father had heart problems but every once in a while i always get my heart checked out to see if its ok. My advice to you is get your doctor to check you out just as a precaution. i hope your brpther gets well soon and god bless i will be thinking of you and your family at this worrying time. I think he will be fine but just remember he will have a slow recovery ahead of him. So make sure he takes it easy and make sure his diet is ok. if you have any other doubts please see your doctor and explain the situation.

Answer 9

I'm not sure about number one but try google, and go to a website thats .edu or .gov since those are reliable while .com isn't.
For number two and three, it is probably heredity
And for number four, I would definitely recommend it, it couldnt hurt right?
I hope everything turns out all right, my grandpa had open heart surgery when he was older then your brother and he's been fine since then =)

Answer 10

You could try using a search engine like Google or something to assist you in finding how the procedure is performed. Try typing in "bypass surgery procedure" or something similar. I will pray for him right now. You should pray too; God listens.