Yay!
If you have had it done, I'd like to hear about your recovery and how long it took before you were shooting again.
Maybe PM me?
I can't believe just a couple of months ago I was trudging 1/4 mile across plowed fields with my bow and quiver full of arrows, ghilli suit, millennium chair, all with 100% blockage of my widow maker, 80% on the second artery and 70% on the third artery. Ok, I did have to take a break at about the mid way point, and climbing out of a ditch took me about ten minutes, but other than that, and with no heart attack?? (Not to mention Covid and mini-strokes at Thanksgiving) Just blessed, I guess.
Anyway, I'd like to hear from you.
Thanks, Gary
No words of wisdom here, haven't been through that...
But glad you've come through it thus far - sounds like you are blessed! Best thoughts & prayers for a continued recovery - I'm sure you'll be flinging arrows in the near future!
Randy
Holy cow - I hope the best for you :pray: keep us in the loop on your recovery !!
Good luck with your recovery. Hopefully, you will soon be pulling bows, and hauling hunting gear all over the place. Keep us informed on your progress.
First, thank God you are okay.
In 2007 at the ripe old age of 43 I had a 95+% blockage of the LAD. They were able to stent.
Doc said only reason I wasn't dead is because God wasn't ready for me.
Talk to Ronnie Newall. He just had it done recently.
Gary,
Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Hope to meet you bear hunting in the future.
Mike (BowMike)
Had a stroke about 18 months ago . Clot straight from the heart and deep into the brain . Boom ...
I'm glad you're getting this addressed now instead of as a contingency . You've got this .
Gary ::: On 2/28/2019 I had quadruple bypass surgery.Was in the hospital for 7 days.Finished therapy sometime in July.Started shooting a 42# bow in time for deer season in September. :archer2:
Gary , I had 4 done in 2004 ,was in hospital
8 days total. Was lucky never had any symptoms
Dr. didn't like EKG. Stress test showed trouble.
If you didn't have heart attack you will recover
much quicker.This may not apply but I asked every
Cardiac nurse what doctor was best,they were hesitant
But would come back & tell me. I went with
their advice! Had no trouble since. Maybe luck?
Gus
I had triple bypass 5 years ago. Same as above my yearly physical Doc didn't like my EKG readings. He wanted to call me a ambulance but I said no. Called the wife she calmed me down and I drove myself to the hospital.
Long story short failed their stress tests miserably. Triple bypass next day. I met all their requirements for discharge on the second day. They said they had never released someone on the second day and made me stay till day three. They didn't even make me ride out in a wheel chair and I walked out to my car and wife drove me home.
I honestly don't remember when I started shooting my bow but I believe it was one month. My doc wasn't too worried about it. I started with some low poundage bows for sure.
All the best in your recovery Gary
Deno
Had my first heart attack 7 years ago. Two stents to keep her pumping. At the time the doc said there was another problem, but we'd deal with that later. 4 years ago, quad bypass as the main artery had choked off down to 40% flow. Was in the hospital a fun filled 7 days, was shooting my daughters 32# Sarrel's BlackHill's 7 weeks later.
This surgery is no walk in the park. Well, let's say the entire first month after the surgery, but after that you'll be awfully glad you had it!
I just had a "shock " to my heart Friday. Seems I had a flutter causing my heart rate to shoot up to 133 bpm. I really didn't notice anything out of wack. My family doc caught it while doing my "wellness " check. I do have a bad value which will need replacement sometime and that may have been the cause of the flutter. Now I am on "light duty" until at least next Monday. I missed a 3 D which I understand was a success but hopefully I can do the 2nd leg in March
Your lucky indeed no heart attack = no damage to the pump station. You are blessed
I don't think luck had much to do with it.
I was up and walking the next day. I am a blessed man for sure.
Been there, done that. Had a triple bypass about 6-7 years ago. Blockages were 96%, 92% and 82% if I remember right. Had my surgery in March. I didn't pull a bow until July, then started with a 30 pounder. I soon advanced to my 55# with no trouble. Do NOT attempt drawing a heavy bow too early! I knew a guy who tried drawing his 70# bow too early. He ripped multiple staples from his sternum. They had to open him up again to fix him up.
Can't help you but glad it worked out. God bless ya
I noticed some shortness of breath last bow season. My daughter is a nurse practitioner and works in cardiac. She set up a series of tests for me with the best cardiac doctors. They found blockages close to what you had. I had a quadruple bypass a month ago. Just had my follow up yesterday. Doctor said not to pull a bow until 12 weeks after surgery, at least. Then I can start low and build back up. They said it takes 12 weeks for the sternum to knit back together.
I didnt have a heart attack or stroke, so I feel good so far. I walk 30 minutes a day and do several flights of stairs. It's really hard to hold back from doing things that might hurt my sternum, as I feel better in some ways than I did before surgery.
Keep on the exercise plan and follow the doctors advice, and you will be shooting a bow by summer.
Gary, hope it all works out for you and you have a full recovery! :pray:
My father in law had a quadruple bypass done about 5 years ago and said he felt like a new man the very next day. He was pretty sore for a week or so but recovered great and by all Drs. accounts his heart is very healthy now. He did change his eating and exercise habits after the surgery. He's 77.
That is amazing an amazing story LC! At least based on my experience. I was in for 6 days, left on the seventh. My biggest problem was drainage. They didn't take the second tube out of my chest until the 5th day. As i mentioned, I was up and walking the day after I got out of icu (actually day #2). I am up to about 25-30 minutes twice a day now.
I have my old original bow, a 40# recurve that I thought I'd try to rehab with.
I normally shoot 51#. But I may have to rethink that, and start around 30#? That would be ok as I could use another light weight bow for one of my grandkids to start shooting with. Just another reason to buy a new bow. :biglaugh:
One concern I have is residual pain in my bottom three fingers from those mini strokes after Covid struck me, in mid Nov. I saw a sports PT, about that and she seems sure it is fixable. But I have stopped most of my exercising routine until my pt starts for the by- pass stuff. I for sure don't want to go back and redo my sternum.
Thanks everybody for the responses.
Best of luck on the recovery. Haven't had bypass surgery, but 15 years ago I had a birth defect corrected where they broke my sternum and screwed in two titanium plates (among other things). The recovery is rough—I didn't realize your sternum plays a role in everything other than wiggling your toes. :biglaugh:
And definitely don't puke if you can help it! Take my word for it.
Gary, 30 years ago 3mo. after a 2 week hunting trip north of the artic circle in Alaska I had a heart attack. At the time I was 49 years old with 100% blockage of my widow maker. I had no pain just heartburn. They were not able to put a stent in as my artery is like a cork screw. We went to exercise and meds and kept a close eye on it. Ten years later on a hunting trip in Michigan I again had a heart attack. Again no pain just that something was not right. Went to the hospital in West Branch and had 100% blockage of my widow maker, 98% on the second artery and 100% on the third artery. Was told that I should be dead. Was taken to Saginaw where they put a stent in one to get me home to Illinois. I had a stent put in one other artery back home and again they could not open the original widow maker. 5 years later I again went to the hospital when some thing was not right. No heart attack but they were finally able to open up the widow maker with a stent. All this time I was able to continue to hunt (18 trips to the Belfield area), go to 3d shoots, and go on camping trips. I never felt any different after the stents were put in but I never had any pain before my heart attacks. Like many others I feel very blessed as I will be 80 in a few months. Good luck with whatever you choose to do and God bless. :pray: :pray:
I had quadruple bypass on 1/31/19 and released 6 days later. They had me start rehab 2 weeks later 3 days/wk for 3 months. 2 months into rehab I started shooting a 35 lb recurve and shorty after was shooting my 52lb recurve. Everything went well and in June I was bear hunting in Ont. in Oct, I was climbing all over Kodiak for sitka's. Listen to your rehab people and everything will work out. Good Luck!
Just had triple bypass in August. Was in hospital at Walter Reed for 10 days. So been 6 months. Never had a heart attack. Found the problem with stress test and angiogram. Did not have any pain after surgury except if i coughed. Listen to the doc.
Dad had triple bypass at 63 after a heart attack, made it until 86. Once healed up he did everything and probably more. Including a couple of DIY bow hunts in Colorado with me. Shot the Cardiac course at ETAR every year up to age 85 just to "test the ticker." Prayers and best of luck with this Gary.
Take care of yourself and keep us posted on your progress.
I had a triple bypass at Univ. of Michigan hospital on Saturday, August 8th. at age 77. Was discharged from the hospital on Tuesday, August 11th, with weight limitations of 10lbs for the first four weeks. Then the limitations were raised to 20lbs 'til December 10th when all limitations were lifted. I've been shooting since then. Started with a 30# bow and am now back to 42# comfortably. I did do twelve weeks of cardiac rehab three days/week which really helped. I had a physical therapist who is a competitive archer and she was a big help in working the upper body properly to get started. You need to be careful not to strain the sternum which is split during the operation and then wired back together. I now spend 40 minutes/day on stationary bike, elliptical machine, rowing machine, or treadmill every day and love the juice it gives me. Typically my blood pressure is about 118/60 after exercise and I consider myself fortunate.
I have my annual check up scheduled this month. From some of the descriptions given of symptoms (or lack thereof) I have a few questions for the doc, especially since heart issues seem to run in my family on both sides. It is good to read about guys having great success with treatment. This thread is a very good reminder to so many of us who probably need to check up on the the old heart.
Amen Sam. I feel very fortunate/blessed to be alive. The scary part for me was I never ever had any chest pain. Just shortness of breath. And at that I didn't really notice how bad it was getting. Not until my daughter commented on how out of breath I was after very little exertion.
It came on so gradual. One of the surgeons commented that I'd had it for a long time. Some of my veins were rerouting blood to badly needed areas of my heart.. Amazing.
Thats exactly the experience I had, Gary. I am a month and a few days from my quadruple bypass surgery. I could easily be dead by now if we didn't catch this thing in time. My widow maker was over 95% blocked. I now have a chance to have 10 or many more good years, instead of being another heart disease statistic.
I really recommend that everyone here over 40 should get a CT Coronary Calcium score test, if you have any symptoms or family history. The test is not too expensive, and can save your life. This is a test where 0 is the best score. My 47 year old Son took the test a couple weeks ago and had a 0 score. I guess he got his heart genetics from his Mom.
Hopefully by this fall, we will be back to bowhunting like nothing ever happened, and for many years to come.
Chuck
I had my open heart surgery on Dec 16, 2020. My vessels are fine but my aortic valve was crap, called Severe Aortic Stenosis, and my aorta was stretched way out of shape. I now have a new valve and a new piece of aorta. I really didn't have any symptoms other than lack of wind, which I just passed off to 69 years and not much exercise. Like my buddy Chuck above, my rehab is going well and I already handle the hills better than before the cut. I had very little pain and it only lasted a few days. FWIW, Chuck and I had the same surgeon and he followed me by 3 weeks. I'm pulling a 25 lb bow now 3 days a week, as a part of my exercise program. I tried pulling a 33 lb, but let down before full draw as it felt like too much. I'm still on a 30 lb weight restriction at this point and the last thing I want to do is over gross the sternum splice. OHS is clearly a big deal, but these surgeons have a ton of experience with it and are really good. Pay attention to what they tell you and it will work out well. For all you guys who think you are OK, go get checked anyway. I had no clue that I was 2 years or less from the casket.
Aug. 3,on a Monday this past year,had a heart attack,Aug.6 had a quadruple bypass.Three weeks later had
emergency gallbladder surgery. My leg where they took the vein to use,was really the most pain to get over for me,took a while!I went back to work on Jan.11 2021,I started having back and rib pain,which i think is slowly getting better every day.Had 36 cardio therapy visits,really helped me get my strength back,don't over do it.Started back shooting my bow about the middle of Jan.It takes time,don't get in a hurrry. (i'm 63yrs)
Ernie
I'll add one last thing to this thread. THERE is a reason why they ask about your family history! It doesn't lie. Like I said earlier my Dad had a heart attack at a early age. Me and my brother had the usual blood tests run every year and passed with flying colors. You know the drill high bad cholesterol etc. but we both passed those tests with flying colors. We BOTH needed heart stints or bypass. DON"T get a complacent thinking blood work gives the all clear.
I guess I am a survivor... Trip by pass and a laser, lung collapse while on by pass. That was a while ago. Followed the Dr's orders and came out fine. Was shooting bows within 4 or so months. No problems other then my sternum did not heal completely. Now every so often when I cough there is a cracking sensation. No big deal. However, had a bit of a problem while I was in TX with my students and a stent was put in. Also discovered some other problems and about 10 years ago had a defib/pacemaker put in. My expulsion rate is not good but, I am getting short of wind again so its back to the heart guys for another look.
Other then that I am keeping on keeping on as best as I can. Not exactly what I had pictured for my retirement,
I can relate Bruce. When I was in my thirties a guy who worked for me retired around the age of 67. He only enjoyed about six months and then died.
I didn't want to be that guy so I retired the first time at age 55, but then went back to work-and loved my job.
I retired again ten years later (on Nov 5th last year.
Two weeks later I had Covid, then strokes from Covid, then triple by-pass. When I last saw my surgeon I said "until next time, and he replied there better not be a next time".
So, starting pt and going to work hard on that. Then bow hunting and fishing for as long as it lasts.
G
PM sent
Hi. I had 5 bypasses when I was 46. Stress test showed something was wrong. Over the years a few stents and er visits. Last year had about 4 caths, one vein kept plugging up. Did a lazer on it , still plugging up. Last option was to do some radiation or high risk 2nd bypass.Did the radiation back I'm november and okay so far. I'm 68 now and more concerned about diabetes that heart problems. I'm thankful to the Lord for living this long.
Had quad bypass Oct 9th, 2009. Shot a doe (firearm, sorry) mid November. Bow killed a small 6 pointer the last week of Dec. First time out with a bow. It was pretty sweet. Had a friend help drag that one and the doe.
You're body will tell you. Have a light bow around , 30-35 pounder. Don't push it too hard though
I will add that I had a little jaw pain a couple times, like you chewed gum too hard for too long. Mentioned it to wifey and away we went. EKG was bad. All the tread mills tests and getting injected , sonagrams was bs , didn't show anything.
As I lay on the table getting a cardiac catheter and could feel it going thru me, the doctor said, you need open heart surgery. 2 days later, done.
Get a cardiac catheter. All those other tests are for paying off their old equipment.
These stories are both amazing and terrifying at the same time...and I'm no spring chicken, but I'd like to hear your wisdom.
So, what would all of you do differently in your lives (if anything) if you were to step back in time to your early 20's, and could see the future...
Would you have for instance eaten differently?
Changed your daily routines?
Drank less, more? :laugh:
Whatever it might be..what advice would you give to the generations coming?
Can't beat heredity. Get your teeth cleaned regularly. There's a theory that the plaque is teeth plaque. Even skinny guys get bypass. Don't be a too fat guy, though.
Overspined, I guess the only thing I'd have changed is to keep an exercise schedule. My medical history doesn't any heart disease in the family, my cholesterol was always ok, blood pressure a little on the high side after 60 and my weight was about 10-15 lbs more than should have. The only sign something was wrong was when I drug a deer out and started sweating heavily and then it snowed and I couldn't shovel. At that time I had joined a gym and tread milled 30 minutes or more without any problems. The next snow I again couldn't shovel, No pain, just a heavy chest, went to ER and then to surgery. Quadruple bypass I really didn't see it coming.
Ten years ago, I told my Dr that I didn't expect to live much past 70, as my dad and both grandfathers died around the age of 70. He laughed and said "Gary your vital signs are great, you aren't taking any medications. I expect you to live much longer. So family history played part in all this, plus perhaps stress at work.
I was seeing a Dr. for awhile trying to figure out why I had such shortness of breath.
Afterwards, I asked my Dr. why none of the other tests didn't catch the true reason, until I had a stress test followed by a angiogram.
He said the other tests were for functionality. I guess not for quality of function? I'm not sure.
He did say if he had it to do all over again he would take the same path.
Yeah my friends are starting to have issues and I'm looking ahead, one had a stroke in front of me on the hockey rink, and another died in the locker room but was revived..they're both doing well now. But man...hardships for sure. So the million dollar question is how to avoid it all..
I'll add to the advice. I had my quad in 2008 at 64 yo with no heart attack and just symptoms like gray color and shortness of breath. I was home in a couple of days and on the road to recovery. They will give you parameters like don't lift anything over 10# for x weeks, etc. The nurse told me to be very careful because if you break that incision in your sternum you will be hating life and I never forgot that advice. Your main therapy will be walking every day for a few months. I started to shoot after about 12 weeks using my grandkids' 20# Bear Little Bear. I moved up to a 30# Browning Spartan and quickly up to 45# bows by 16 weeks as I remember. Today, no effects at all.