Heart problems post-op

Since my surgery, I've had tachycardia.  In the hospital, just getting up to walk to the bathroom or in the halls would raise my HR to 160.  Then I would get a pounding headache, and, since I had atelectasis, my O2 saturation would drop down to 82% (that part has improved though, the lowest it gets now is 92% w/exertion).  

Now when I climb stairs or walk briskly, HR goes right up to 160 again, and I get a slight headache after only a minute or two.  I can feel it pounding. :(

Because of this, I cannot exercise or do any strenuous activity.  I'm starting to get really worried about it.  I had a chest x-ray, which looked ok.  Blood work showed increased platlets and low iron (but it has shown slight improvement since I was in the hospital).

Next week, I have three appointments.  One for an echocardiogram, one to hook me up to a Holter monitor for 24 hours, and then a visit to a cardiologist.  

Has anyone else experienced heart problems post-op?  

I was taking it in stride, but it's starting to really worry me.  Tonight, I'm in tears at the thought of something happening to me, like a stroke or an MI because I made the choice to have this surgery.  My little boy depends on me so much, and the thought of leaving him an orphan terrifies me.

I'm sorry for what you're going through... I havent had my surgery yet but wanted to ask what your surgeon says about this so far? And did they run tests on your heart before surgery? Such as echo or stress test?

They did a stress test before surgery, the results were very good.

The surgeon simply said I needed to followed up with my PCP regarding this issue, which is what I've done.

 not post op. my problems have gone away since surgery. i had a similar problem a week after my 21st birthday though. i went to the er because i was away at school and had awful heartburn and didn't know where else to go, now mind you i had worked all day and living in downtown chicago took the bus and walked to the hospital. they took my vitals (obviously i had been sitting a while at this point) and my resting heart rate was around 150 and my blood pressure was something like 200/150 (i don't remember the exact numbers and my paperwork is in a different state). at this point i was at my lowest weight in a long time (around 170, so still big for my 5' frame but not super huge). they were convinced i was on drugs. they admitted me immediately and i started getting a little terrified. i had an ekg and some blood work done. a cat scan. and eventually an echocardiogram. with the echo they discovered i had cardiomyopathy (basically meaning a deterioration of my heart muscle). my ejection fraction (pumping function) of my heart was 25% (should be around 50-60%). they never found out what caused it, despite checking for all these rare diseases that could cause it (felt like i was on house. the one dr had a list he kept crossing things off of and everything lol). the next 2 or so years were trial and error with my medications to find what worked to get everything in check. i had a echo again last month and it appears everything is totally normal with my heart now (my cardiologist jokingly calls me a 'boring patient' now). 

some times these heart things just happen. regardless of surgery. fight to find a good doctor who is going to get everything functioning properly. luckily you went and got everything checked quick. that should help. 

What is your ejection fracture now and how long did it take to get it up. I have cardiomyopathy, when discovered my ejection fracture was 23% it increased to 43%, then went down to 35% pre surgery. 7 months after surgery it is 40%

 honestly, i'm not sure on an exact number. my echo results weren't in when i went in a few days later for my office visit and he ended up leaving a voicemail at like 9pm that night letting me know it came back and everything looked normal and perfect. so i'm guessing somewhere in the 50's. i have another appointment in march just so he can check on everything since he lowered all my meds quite a bit

Hello Jen--

You had surgery a bit before me. It seems that you are doing all you can to get a handle on this issue before it becomes a major problem.

This is a time to keep in touch with your doctors and let them run all the tests they can or need to to figure this out. I was a nurse for many years. I can't/won't give madical advice because I'm not qualified. It is unlikely that anyone here, even a doctor, wouldn't offer up too much information over internet chat.

These are real concerns that need to be addressed by your PCP and your surgeon working togeather to figure out what's going on with you. I have my days of doubt. Did I do the right thing?
I am having some minor issues come up and we just have to keep going. I know this much ...I'm losing weight. I don't always feel happy and lively like most here but then it's only been sixteen days.

It's a lot of instant chages for your body to go through and it's most likely not always evident why some people respond the way they do after surgery. I believe it will work out for the best and that hopefully you will be just fine. We had the surgery for so many reasons. It can be super stressful for some people. I know it's hard but unlike me don't assume the worst. (I'm a nut when it comes to my own health)

At this point I don't know if I woulod be concerned about an "MI or a stroke". Truth: If this started after surgery for me my biggest concern would have been clots. Most surgeons give levonox to help prevent this...but it can happen. This is just what my worry would have been and I don't encourage you to be a worry nut like me. 

They will figure it out for you. Or, maybe it will leave as it came. 

I wish you the very best and please keep us posted. I think you will be around for a very long time for your son. Wait for the tests and try not worry too much, ok.

Big Hugs!

Christine 

My experience is pre-op.  At that time my blood pressure medicine and depression med were fighting each other.  Once blood pressure medicine was changed the tach left and hasn't come back.

Good luck,

Hattie

 I have tachycardia also I had it before surgery and they ran all sorts of tests to see why my resting rate (after lying down for 20 minutes) was 115.  The answer I got from all the doctors is that some people just have a fast heartbeat.  It has never caused me problems and now 10 weeks out from surgery my resting rate is around 105-110.

Thank you all for your responses, I feel a little better today.