Open heart surgery?

[BlueWeasel]

My grandfather, who is 68, went in for a physical a few weeks ago, and his doctor found signs of a possible heart problem.

...Now move ahead to today when he went in for a heart catherization (spelling may be off). Considering this side of the family has never had any known heart problems, we were expecting a small blockage or two that could be handled with stints. We were shocked to find out he has at least 5, possibly 6 blockages, that will require open heart surgery tomorrow.

The operation could take up to 6 hours to complete, and the doctor has ordered him not to drive for 3 weeks following the surgery.

Now, I know that medical technology has come a long way in the last 20 or 30 years, but how life-threatening is OHS? I know there are risks with ANY operation, but how dangerous is this with current medical capabilities?

Please feel free to discuss your experience(s) regarding OHS...

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

60 isn't that old....

My wifes grandfather had his chest cracked a couple of years ago. He was 80 then and last summer he shot his age in golf.

 

[RavnShield]

Sorry to hear that Blue Weasel. It runs in my family pretty bad and my grand parents had open heart surgeries, took them some time to recover completely.

One of the happiest moments in my life was getting cardiac catherization done after my heart attack and finding that I had NO blockages...phew!

Hope yer grandfather gets well soon ASAP!

 

[MichaelD]

Sorry to hear about Grandpa's troubles. ;(

You're correct; OHS has come a long way. But it's always risky; the human body was never meant to be opened like thumbscrew-equipped case.

He's got some major probs. They avoid OHS these days if it can be handled by....damn...WTH is that...starts with an "A"...they put the balloon in the artery in your leg....*brain dump*

Anyway, assuming he follows the recovery orders, he'll be FINE. My bestest thoughts for your Grandpa. :beer:

 

[BlueWeasel]

Well, thanks for the kind words, guys.

It's just one of those things that I would have never expected. He tries to eat fairly well and he stays active with his part-time job and walks a few miles several times a week. He's got a little belly on him, but who doesn't when you're that age?

 

[BHeemsoth]

Originally posted by: MichaelD
Sorry to hear about Grandpa's troubles. ;(

You're correct; OHS has come a long way. But it's always risky; the human body was never meant to be opened like thumbscrew-equipped case.

He's got some major probs. They avoid OHS these days if it can be handled by....damn...WTH is that...starts with an "A"...they put the balloon in the artery in your leg....*brain dump*

Anyway, assuming he follows the recovery orders, he'll be FINE. My bestest thoughts for your Grandpa. :beer:

angeoplasty??? (Spelling is way off)

 

[RavnShield]

Originally posted by: BlueWeasel
Well, thanks for the kind words, guys.

It's just one of those things that I would have never expected. He tries to eat fairly well and he stays active with his part-time job and walks a few miles several times a week. He's got a little belly on him, but who doesn't when you're that age?

Ya sh!t happens man. I got screwed couple weeks ago eventhough I hit the gym 7 days a week...ya it sux.

 

[Iron Woode]

I was born with Ventricular Septal Defect and had to have catherization done when I was 16.

No surgery for me though, as the doctors said it was slowly closing on its own. It made me feel a little weak when I was a kid, but not so bad when I was in high school.

I still need to have it looked at once a year, and may need surgery if it has not fully closed.