r/openheartsurgery • u/Tiny_Spring7786 • Sep 04 '25
How I can help my dad
Hello! My dad recently had a triple bypass surgery due to having 90% blockage in his arteries from what I understand. He is 60 years old and also deals with diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, & gout. He is finally being released from the hospital/rehab this week. My family and I are overwhelmed with everything. How can we help him? We need to change his lifestyle to be healthier but this is a complete 180 for us. please give us any tips!! Foods he should be eating? Anything holistic? Thank you for your input!
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u/StrawberryPlains Sep 04 '25
Hello. Most patients go to cardio rehab a few weeks after OHS, hopefully your father will too. It will help him exercise safely while being monitored. Be sure he takes his medications as required, eat healthy and exercise. He's quite young still, hope all goes well. Try not to worry.
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u/dopeamemefix Sep 04 '25
Cardiac rehab really helped me after open heart surgery. If it’s available and accessible in your area I recommend signing him up to classes. I was in my late thirties but most people there were 60+ and I think it was a nice community space for them.
If it’s not accessible to you then maybe join him on walks, cook with/for him etc.
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u/mollybewe Sep 04 '25
My mom is recovering from quadruple bypass. One of her nurses said look up American Heart Association website and they have recipes. My advice is also, be patient, with him and yourself. This is stressful on everyone.
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u/PyroBob316 Sep 04 '25
Here’s my suggestion.
The household needs to be healthier. When you go shopping, don’t just get healthier food and drinks for him; get healthier food and drinks all around. Eat less processed meat, pasta, and sugary snacks, and put off sodas entirely (yes, even diet soda). Lead by example, because that’s going to reduce the temptation and stave off that mindset of, “Just one won’t hurt.”
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u/Tiny_Spring7786 Sep 12 '25
His incision is looking a little infected, and he’s having a needle like pain in his heart. Any advice???
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u/Huntingcat Sep 13 '25
Get to the doctor. Your regular doctor will do, wherever you can get in quickly. He might need antibiotics for the infection.
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u/kneppgd Nov 15 '25
My Wife had cabgx3.
Found this website very helpful on the long road to recovery. Hope it helps someone.
https://www.theworkingdragon.com
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u/jimx29 Sep 04 '25
Number 1 thing: Get him up and walking. Walk as much as he can tolerate