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You are here: Experts > Health/Fitness > Medical Specialists > Heart & Cardiology > Emotions after a triple bypass
Expert: David Richardson - 11/10/2009
Question
QUESTION: My father had a triple bypass in June of this year. His recovery was very quick and he was back to normal within 2 weeks. He went back to his business and riding his Harley. But my mother and i noticed he was super sensitive about little things. getting angry and irratated quickly, crying if things were a little to stressful. These are not normal emotions for my father to express. For awhile i just brushed it off as a mid-life crisis (he turned 50 in September) and his ego being hurt from having to have the surgery, but now things have become worse. His emotions have become so irrational that he has left my mother, after 22 years of marriage. I guess what my question is, could my father be suffering from some type of post surgery depression that is causing him to push loved ones away, and how do i convince him to go get help?
ANSWER: Dear Diana,
Yes. Post-surgery depression, or loss of some control mechanisms in the brain as the result of micro-emboli coming to the brain from the heart-lung bypass machine. Please get him to a psychiatrist, perhaps telling him that he needs to find out if any damage to his brain occurred during surgery.
Please write back if this note doesn't answer all your questions.
David Richardson
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thank you so much for your rapid response to my question. You have helped my family and I to put a name and meaning to my fathers condition. I do however have a follow up question. Throughout the pass few weeks my mother has done a little research of her own concerning this situation. She has contacted the hospital where my fathers procedure was preformed and where he stayed for recovery. They have confirmed the post-surgery depression and asked to see him for further observation. He has refused the help and stated that there is nothing wrong with him. My follow up question for you is, What is to happen if my father goes untreated for post-surgery depression and is there a symptom that we should watch for to confirm his case and get help for him?
Answer
Dear Diana,
If he goes untreated, he will probably slowly recover.
Expression of suicidal thoughts should lead to prompt hospitalization.
Treatment now will probably speed recovery. If you recount to him the symptoms you have noted and your worry, that might lead him to accept treatment.
David
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