Shooting Competition After Heart Surgery

[1911Nut]

Anyone on P-F ever have open heart surgery (double bypass), or know someone who has had that surgery?

If so, can you provide any ideas on how long it was before you (or the person you know) was able to resume shooting USPSA/IDPA matches?

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

[YVK]

It will depend on multiple factors because the recovery, as well as preexisting factors, are very individual. Those patients of mine who were in excellent physical shape and needed a bypass (this does happen more often than people think), who have not suffered much of heart muscle loss and whose bypass went smoothly, were back to a full tilt workouts at 10 - 12 weeks. Average shape men feel near normal at 3 months. Besides overall recovery from surgery, blood loss, reengagement of lungs etc, there is a requirement to let the sternum heal, and that implies no significant tension. Some surgeons hold you back for a month, some for two, depending on patient and surgeon. I personally tell my patients to concentrate on aerobic recovery first, muscle recovery later, and I suggest to push shooting back by 3-6 months.

[wrmettler]

1911Nut,

I had a heart attack and open heart surgery (4 bypasses) in late January 1993. I was 46. It hurt.

I don’t know if surgeons use the same procedure now, but the doctor grafted a vein harvested from my leg on to my heart. My leg ended up hurting more than the chest.

Took me about 2-3 months to get physically comfortable and a lot longer to get confident. I participated in doctor prescribed physical therapy for about 12 weeks, and continued working out after that. It was hard to walk or use bike machines because my leg hurt. I mostly swam.

I shot a GSSF match at Rio Salado in Mesa, Arizona that spring (March or April) and did OK. I don’t remember having any physical limitations other than moving slower. No problems with my arms or chest muscles in bringing the gun up to a shooting position. Had to go to the ground on one stage, and was able to push myself up after. So, I think I was physically fine by then. I do remember being tired driving home afterward, but nothing unusual.

But, it took me about another 6 months to be confident in myself again.

[1911Nut]

Thanks very much to those who have responded to my inquiry. The information is appreciated and valued.

[Paul D]

I concur what YVK had to say. I tell my patients that it takes about 6 weeks for the sternum to heal. I also recommend cardiac rehab if they are deconditioned. Another issue is new medications that might affect their speed (beta blockers) and can cause easy bruising (aspirin and clopidogrel). In the end, focus on healing the body first.

[Sherman A. House DDS]

I concur what YVK had to say. I tell my patients that it takes about 6 weeks for the sternum to heal. I also recommend cardiac rehab if they are deconditioned. Another issue is new medications that might affect their speed (beta blockers) and can cause easy bruising (aspirin and clopidogrel). In the end, focus on healing the body first.

Interesting topic. I had RF and cryo ablation for persistent a-fib following a viral cardiomyopathy/pneumonia bout I contracted while working on Central American patients. Damn near killed me.

I've been on 12.5mg of Carvedilol bid, since, and always attributed my, "slow down," to just aging. I'm getting to the point now where I can get an adrenaline jag from a jump scare in a film or a traffic hazard. Which is nice. But sprinting/powering through in fights is much harder to do on the BB's.

I was down hard for 2 weeks following my procedure. The pericarditis was pretty painful. And I had to go very slow on lower body workouts/compound movements for about 3 months, due to the muscle spasms/bruising in my groin and inguinals.


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[45dotACP]

Nothing for me to add...YVK, PaulD and Dr. House know their stuff.

When the Doc says "resume normal ADLs", it's pretty safe to assume shooting is OK.

I've actually heard of some guys using beta blockers for stage fright...and I think I've read at least one thread on Benos a while ago (sorry no linky) about whether it has effect on match performance.

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[Paul D]

Nothing for me to add...YVK, PaulD and Dr. House know their stuff.

When the Doc says "resume normal ADLs", it's pretty safe to assume shooting is OK.

I've actually heard of some guys using beta blockers for stage fright...and I think I've read at least one thread on Benos a while ago (sorry no linky) about whether it has effect on match performance.

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I have heard that high level archers and Olympic small bore shooters are so in tune with their bodies that they can time their shots during diastolic filling. Probably a myth but a beta blocker would be helpful in this situation.

[YVK]

I've been on 12.5mg of Carvedilol bid, since, and always attributed my, "slow down," to just aging. I'm getting to the point now where I can get an adrenaline jag from a jump scare in a film or a traffic hazard. Which is nice. But sprinting/powering through in fights is much harder to do on the BB's.



Truly feel for you. BBs and high intensity aerobic activities don't jive. Unfortunately, it is usually a long-term thing for cardiomyopathy patients.






I've actually heard of some guys using beta blockers for stage fright...and I think I've read at least one thread on Benos a while ago (sorry no linky) about whether it has effect on match performance.



That is true. I know people who took them before a large audience (several thousands) speeches, and some of Broadway stars have been mentioned in association with this use. Interestingly, there has not been a well defined regimen for that, and some reported a nice response from a single or two doses. This most likely implies a central or a placebo effects, neither of which should affect physical performance.



I have heard that high level archers and Olympic small bore shooters are so in tune with their bodies that they can time their shots during diastolic filling. Probably a myth but a beta blocker would be helpful in this situation.

Think we can set our AV nodal ablation patients' v-rate at 45 and tell them go shoot bullseye?

[Paul D]

Truly feel for you. BBs and high intensity aerobic activities don't jive. Unfortunately, it is usually a long-term thing for cardiomyopathy patients.




That is true. I know people who took them before a large audience (several thousands) speeches, and some of Broadway stars have been mentioned in association with this use. Interestingly, there has not been a well defined regimen for that, and some reported a nice response from a single or two doses. This most likely implies a central or a placebo effects, neither of which should affect physical performance.




Think we can set our AV nodal ablation patients' v-rate at 45 and tell them go shoot bullseye?

We need feed them midodrine so they won't pass out. I see you've been reading the Journal of American College of Evil Cardiology.

[Sherman A. House DDS]

Truly feel for you. BBs and high intensity aerobic activities don't jive. Unfortunately, it is usually a long-term thing for cardiomyopathy patients.




That is true. I know people who took them before a large audience (several thousands) speeches, and some of Broadway stars have been mentioned in association with this use. Interestingly, there has not been a well defined regimen for that, and some reported a nice response from a single or two doses. This most likely implies a central or a placebo effects, neither of which should affect physical performance.




Think we can set our AV nodal ablation patients' v-rate at 45 and tell them go shoot bullseye?

Indeed. It's challenging. When I had my acute event, and was in complete organ failure, I had a LV EF of 12%. I'm between 57-60 now, with my four day a week 60 min HIIT routine for two years now. I can sprint at 14.5 mph, but it's challenging. If I have a few years of consistently good echoes, they'll titrate my done down, hopefully. There isn't a big body of experience, apparently, for young, otherwise healthy people that have been affected by viral respiratory/CV illnesses. At least not many that live long.

I've never been a stage fright or anxious person, or even fearful, but being on BB's for 4 years now, I can tell you that it definitely lowers your capacity to feel anxious. My resting HR is in the low 60's...and if I really get scared by a near miss in traffic, it'll jump up to a whopping 78bpm.


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[1911Nut]

As the OP of this thread, I again want to thank all who have added their comments. Fascinating and useful material. Looking forward to receiving notice that I will be able to resume normal activities. Just past three weeks since double bypass surgery now, with cardio rehab scheduled to begin this week. My situation was complicated by the fact that following surgery, it took the seven days to get me off the ventilator, during which time I was diagnosed with pneumonia.

[Sherman A. House DDS]

As the OP of this thread, I again want to thank all who have added their comments. Fascinating and useful material. Looking forward to receiving notice that I will be able to resume normal activities. Just past three weeks since double bypass surgery now, with cardio rehab scheduled to begin this week. My situation was complicated by the fact that following surgery, it took the seven days to get me off the ventilator, during which time I was diagnosed with pneumonia.

Good luck with the rehabilitation!


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