OK so it isn't angina. My dad has a 'leaking valve' in his heart

[OrmIrian]

GP diagnosed angina. We we all busy trying to calm him down by telling him that it wasn't that serious and he shouldn't worry Got taken into hospital last night in an ambulance and now he's all hooked up to machines.

He's feeling OK apparently - releived that something is being done - but I feel so bad that we didn't beleive that he was really ill. And the GP needs shooting! He told dad he had angina and didn't send a letter to the consultant until nearly a week after he'd seen my dad.

Sorry to hear he wasn't looking so well. Low BP isn't uncommon after surgery. There can be a number of things causing it at this stage. Don't read anything into the alarms going off - they always do! He will still have a lot of sedation floating around in his system, which would account for his speech and drowsiness. After this type of surgery it's extremely common to be anaemic, however these days medics are reluctant to transfuse unless it the haemaglobin level is very low. Also, approximately 20-30% of patients undergoing cardiac surgery will develop an irregular heart rhythm.(and IME an even higher %age of patients undergoing valve surgery) If it's going very fast it can cause a drop in BP, and make the patient feel(and look) quite unwell. It's very treatable, and patients revert to a normal rhythm with medications. If you're worried ring and ask to speak to the nurse looking after him. Although they are caring for your dad, they'll also be there for you too.
Re: not visiting tomorrow. Remember to pace yourself. He will be in hospital for at least another 4-5 days and will need entertaining then. I think you said previously your brother lives a bit of a distance from you. You know that in the long run you'll be doing most of the running around after your parents, so let him share some of the responsibility while he can. Hope he's feelin better soon. Sending some wine (and sorry if I sound like a bossy mare )

Stan - you are a star. That is what I needed to hear! Apparently the low BP only started when they made him sit up just before we got there. THe nurse was getting him back into bed as we left.

DH is taking mum to Bristol today. She is driving herself on Monday afternoon and I will take her up on Tuesday evening. With luck he will be out on Thursday or Friday. If he still needs hospital care after that he will be transferred back to Weston (thank goodness).

DB lives in N Wales so can't be here all the time. But he's coming down next weekend to help mum get dad settled in at home. Can't ask much more than that I don't think.

Grrrrr! Is it OK to be cross with a sick person? Mum has a mild tummy bug today - I don't think it's serious but she didn't want to pass it round the ICU. But when she spoke to dad he got ratty with her because it meant he wasn't going to get his razor She and I have been running ourselves ragged and this is the first day in nearly 3 weeks that he hasn't had any visitors.

If he carries on like this when he gets home I am going to have a sharp word with him. My poor mum is exhausted.

At least it means he must be feeling better I suppose...

That is a definite sign of recovery .

He's in HDU now which I think is progress but he had to have a blood transfusion. Am going in tonight.

Hope you found your dad in good spirits Orm. The transfusion will perk him up a bit I should think.

I notice that you're not posting over there at the moment with all this going on with your dad but there's sad news about MrTwink on the runner's thread.

Oh no I will go and look.

I feel very petty worrying now . Poor twink.

One more question if no-one minds. His blood is too 'thick' and they are giving him warfarin to thin it. So he won't be coming home this week. Is this serious?

There are a few reasons he would have warfarin following cardiac surgery.
If he had a mechanical valve to replace his native valve, then he will be on warfarin for the rest of his life, as it prevents clots forming on the surface of the implanted valve. Some surgeons will use warfarin for a short period (usually about 6 weeks) for patients who have had tissue valves as well.
The other reason would be if his heart rate had become irregular (atrial fibrillation), and this had not responded to the usual medications. Because the heart rate is irregular, there is a small risk that clots can form in the left ventricle, which could cause a stroke. Warfarin will prevent this happening. Usually the heart rhythm will have settled down after 6 weeks and the warfarin can be stopped.
It takes a couple of days to get the warfarin dosage right,and will need regular blood tests to make sure that his blood is at the right consistency. HTH!

Thanks both. Now why couldn't his otherwise lovely nurse have explained that to me?

Have to say that his care has been excellent. Fanastic friendly staff, spotlessly clean wards. And food has been good We have no serious complaint at all - but communications is a bit of a problem in both hospitals he's been in. But it's such a minor niggle really. Their main task is to care for patients not pander to rellies I guess.

It's not petty to worry Orm. Hope he's back home with you soon - with or without the warfarin.

Yay! Dependent on his latest blood test he will be home this afternoon!

Woohoo! Christmas has come early!!

It's amazing when you think of it though. After such a big operation. I am 100% impressed with the NHS right now !

Yay for your dad (and the NHS)

He's getting better day by day. Still very tired and not eating a lot but more coherent and lively every day. GP fully on board now and has promised to come and test his blood at home so he doesn't have to go to the surgery.