Recovering from CABG

[BrazAd]

I’m 65, been cycling for 7 years, will cross the 46,000 mile mark on tomorrow’s ride… and have to have open heart bypass surgery this coming Wednesday, 11/06. I have -ZERO- symptoms, but you can’t outride your genes!

Any tips for recovery from those who have “been there, done that”? I know to listen to my medical team, be patient, etc.

I normally ride around 7k miles per year and ride 15 centuries +/- annually. Will my stamina return after the recovery period? (I’m at 78 centuries and want to ride 100 - it’s just a goal, nothing more).

Your positive stories will help me, as well as your warnings!

Thanks in advance,

Gary
Leesburg, GA




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[Novasfyre]

Originally Posted by BrazAd

I’m 65, been cycling for 7 years, will cross the 46,000 mile mark on tomorrow’s ride… and have to have open heart bypass surgery this coming Wednesday, 11/06. You can’t outride your genes!

Any tips for recovery from those who have “been there, done that”? I know to listen to my medical team, be patient, etc.

I normally ride around 7k miles per year and ride 15 centuries +/- annually. Will my stamina return after the recovery period? (I’m at 78 centuries and want to ride 100 - it’s just a goal, nothing more).

Your positive stories will help me, as well as your warnings!

Thanks in advance,

Gary
Leesburg, GA




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Fwiw my old neighbor rode Vail pass with me and kicked my ass 7 weeks after open heart surgery. While I may suggest a bit more recovery than that if you are going into it with a good base you'll be much better off as you recover.

[mass_biker]

About a year ago I had open heart surgery to fix a failing mitral valve. I was 52. Great (or so I thought) health + overall fitness, but the doc was pretty adamant in me addressing this right away as the mitral valve prolapse was quite advanced and I was on the cusp of some pretty dramatic deterioration of health.

Post surgery, and within the week I was on the trainer (going easy!). Think I did 1/2 hour.
And then pretty much each day or so after that I would do 15-30 min on the trainer. Very easy.
By week 2 I was outside. And grateful to be outside.
Once I got off the betablockers (protocol I think for post OHS) I felt a lot better on these rides.

What helped a lot was coming into surgery with a lot of base fitness. I also worked on my core strength as I was concerned about the upper body trauma. In other words, I trained for the surgery/recovery. Something you’ve likely been doing as a cyclist/athlete.

My advice is to take lots of naps, listen to the docs, and realize that the human body wants to live (and heal, recover etc.).

Since then I’ve celebrated each 6 month (2 now) anniversary with an epic ride. 6 months in, it was an April century - 100+ miles/10K feet of climbing. A year+ it was 75 miles/7k+ feet of climbing. Always grateful! My mileage has definitely increased after my surgery. As has my appreciation for the sport.

Please PM me with any questions - happy to discuss at length…

MB

[Epicus07]

Best of luck with your procedure. Your heart should like that extra blood flow. Your medical team will have the best insight into your recovery but I think it bodes well that you are active going into it. They should be referring you to cardiac rehab. These programs are usually pretty awesome and will help you build up your strength, stamina and confidence. I see many centuries in your future.

[teleguy57]

Gary, first best wishes for an effective procedure and rapid recover. I had an aortic valve replacement and ascending aortic graft Dec 2023 at age 69 (now 70) via a full sternotomy. You're going in with great conditioning, so that will serve you well. Follow instructions, do a formal rehab program and you'll bounce right back.

I rode 70 miles solo on my 70th birthday in May, 5 months post surgery. My surgeon told me I have no restrictions and can go as hard as a I want.

Lots of great riding in your future for sure. All the best to you!

and I'll echo mass_biker's offer -- pm me with anything.

[mass_biker]

This forum was very helpful for me.

https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/

Again, PM with any questions.

MB

[NHAero]

Gary - all the best wishes for a successful surgery and a full recovery!

[Beldar77]

Had a CABG 4 years ago at age 56 - genetics too. Do the cardiac rehab. Don't rush the recovery.

I have been able to continue cycling of course - lower mileage due to toehr things but I do enjoy the rides more than I used to if I am not at my fastest.

Good Luck. I look forward to your updates.

[jds108]

Beta blockers: Long ago I was prescribed Atenolol. That med really destroyed my ability to exercise, it was really shocking. Got off of that and now take a smaller maintenance does of Metoprolol. Despite this also being a beta blocker, it doesn't have an adverse affect on my ability to exercise. Individual results vary.

[rzthomas]

I had a CABG at 38 to correct a congenital defect with my left main coronary artery. I was off the bike for 4-5 weeks and was on the trainer riding EASY for some time after that. My physical recovery has been great; the mental side of things has taken a lot longer.

I take a dose of the beta blocker acebutolol to control PVCs and keep my blood pressure low. I find that if I take my pill at 7 a.m., I am kinda useless on the bike for about 3-4 hours afterward, but by lunch I am good to go.

[BrazAd]

I rode an EASY 31 miles today on dirt roads to cross the 46k mark before bypass next Wednesday. Ended up at 46,006 miles from 1,207 rides since June 2017. Cycling has saved my life!

Thanks for all of the encouraging words!

Gary




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[merlinmurph]

All I've got to say is good luck in your recovery. Love seeing a fellow old fart kicking butt.