Just had a heart bypass - 34 years old

PaulJM

Hello,

This may not be the place to put such a thread, it's not moneysaving, but I find the posters on here a practical lot, so maybe someone can help!

I can't find anywhere useful on the internet for this really, the heart foundation's website is full of articles, but there is no forum, and the 'local support' appears to be a load of shops

For over 10 years I've been back and forward to the doctor with various pains, and weird stuff happening to my chest, but I was always told it was anxiety, and later on, stomach pains - I'm currently 34 years old. I had a couple of ECG's over the years, XRAYS, etc, and a problem was never found - I remember when I was 22 a GP told me that they would not be wasting money investigating a fit young person for heart issues.

Mid last year, I was made redundant, and started getting random pains in my chest, then later, pains on walking.
I managed to get a GP to refer me to a Cardio consultant at last. The consultant took blood, did ECG's, XRAYS, even an echo cardio-gram. None of these found an issue, infact my heart looked in good shape.
Luckily, the consultant was very thorough, and advised me that I would only know for sure if I had a angiogram, which obviously carry slight risks. As I was convinced I had an problem, I went for this.
After it was done, and I was sat in a ward with lots of people double my age, I noticed the others were coming out of the proceedure knowing their results, but I hadn't been told.
An hour or so later, the consultant approached me, ashen faced, and told me that I had a serious issue - two of my arteries were faulty - I was probably born that way, and as a result, another was blocked, so I needed a CAB quickly.

That was scary news, but I'd always known I had a problem. If I look at it positively, I was probably very lucky to have had it found.

I'm not particularly overweight, and have no close family history. I guess in that respect, I'm unlucky.

I've had the op, two weeks ago - there wasn't much waiting as I have insurance through work, so got it done privately.

I feel ok now - usual issues - very tired from time to time, horrible clunky sternum, etc, but I@ve done a lot of walking, and I can do miles without getting out of breath, so I'm confident of a good recovery.

I wonder if anyone could help me with support groups nr manchester - The ones I've been offered do not have anyone below 50 there, and I don't feel I can get much out of that kind of group - I have small children, and most of the people at these have grandkids.

McKneff

Dont underestimate what you can get from people over 50 with the same problem as you. They have life skills you can learn from,

Give it a go, you cant lose anything and can gain lots.

I can only send my best wishes, you are incredibly lucky in that it was found, really when you think about it you could have just dropped down dead, we hear of this in the media, even down to 15 year olds dropping when they are having a game of football.

Hope all goes well for you and yours.

Annie

PaulJM

Oh, I really don't want to have seemed dissmissive of older people, I realise they're the best source of advice.
The thing is, it's embarrassing. Almost every nurse, doctor, or patient I saw would say "Gosh, you ARE young to have this, what happened" - then I have to explain again.
I feel that unless I get support with people a similar age, I'm going to be explaining this one ad nauseum, and it's draining!

Also, you tend to find that the advice is tailored around older people - it should be I guess, if they're the highest percentage getting this op done. A Physio told me, over the phone, when she hadn't seen my age, that I may need someone to get my pension for a couple of weeks.

jetta_wales

You might find though that your circumstances just are really very very rare and that if there were to be a younger support group it may well be mostly heavy smokers and over eaters etc which if I were in your shoes would probably make me pretty cross as you didn't bring your heart problems on yourself. There is a genetic weakness that can prevent your body from handling cholesterol properly even with a very healthy diet and lifestyle maybe some with that condition would be more able to relate?

McKneff

But you dont need to explain or justify yourself.

Just say ;ah well, that's life' or something along those lines.

Good luck

Savvy_Sue

PaulJM wrote: »

A Physio told me, over the phone, when she hadn't seen my age, that I may need someone to get my pension for a couple of weeks.

:rotfl: but one good thing is that the physios will LOVE you, because you are different! I'm the first half-shoulder replacement mine had seen, and I'm unusual because I don't creak everywhere else ...

GlasweJen

I'm 24 with a pacemaker and on the heart transplant list.

I've never come across a support group for younger people with heart problems but I don't really mind much because i'm not really a support group type of person.

Have you tried asking the hospital if they know of any groups nearby with a few younger people in attendance? Often cardiac nurses will visit groups to give lifestyle tips so the cardiac nurses might be a good shout.

Good luck with your recovery.

concerned43

My BIL had his bypass last year and he is in a local group at his local hospital run by the British Heart Foundation. The one's in his group are more or less the same age and he finds this enormously beneficial as he is a sporty man and found the support he needed to have the courage to get back into sport.
Sorry we are not in manchester but have you tried your local hospital to see if they run something similar? or contact the British Heart Foundation directly as they have a Heart Support Group Heathfield Resource Centre, Manchester, M40 1LF
Best wishes for the future x

Savvy_Sue

I know it's not the same, but there is Different Strokes, for younger stroke survivors. You might find them useful, in terms of getting to grips with something unusual at your age, IYSWIM.

PaulJM

Thanks for these suggestions all.
I'll give them a look next week and let you know how it goes.

And thanks for the good wishes too!

OnAndUp

Hiya!

I can't offer any constructive help but just wanted to post after reading your story!

Just to say hope everything goes well with your recovery and it's a flipping good job that you know your own body trusted your instincts and stuck to your guns, and that the consultant you eventually saw was so thorough. Scary thoughts if you had not persisted.

I know what you mean about older people at support groups I have the same problem most of the people at my local ME support group are 50+ if not 60+ retired nothing against that it's just that when you are ill at a young age (Iv'e been ill for 10 yrs since I was 25) you already feel out of touch with people your own age it would just be nice speaking to someone who's at the same age / life stage as you with the same problem that understand the challenges you face.

A lesson for everyone really sometimes the patient does knows BEST! Anxiety! :eek:
Here's to the future! :beer: (If your'e allowed beer! )