Shooting after heart surgery

[hitman]

I,m sure someone on here has had a heart valve replacement. My question is "how long before you started shooting again and the process you did it".

[Pete McMiller]

Donald,

2005 I had a triple bypass.  I wasn't back to shooting trad at that time, just wheels.  I have been an archer of one kind or another since about 1960 so my muscles have always been in pretty good shape.  At 7 weeks post surgery my surgeon told me I was good to go and to resume my regular lifestyle BUT "take it easy".  Start slow and see how you feel.  You have the rest of your life to get back at it - go slow to start.  Your body will tell you how far to go.  In addition, you will most likely be in cardiac rehab post surgery, do the exercises and see how you do.

[luvnlongbow]

I had double bypass and a section of another vessel replaced last year. The surgery was in February and the surgeon gave me the OK in July. Took a while for me to get back up to strength. Just now feeling almost 100% at shooting.

[reddogge]

Had quadruple bypass in Feb 2008. Did not pull anything for 10 weeks (doctor's orders) or you could break open your sternum and that would be serious. I fooled around with the grandkids' 20# Little Bear in April. I was shooting a 30# bow by May. Then worked up to 45# bow by August/Sept and deer season.

[LC]

I have no clue on heart valve surgery but I'll bet it's like most every thing else no one two are the same. I had triple bypass done 4 months ago. I had met all the criteria to be released on the 3rd day but stayed till the fourth. They actually sent a letter home with me stating I could shoot in two months. And I was, as I had a hog hunt lined up in March that eventually fell through. I started with a 40lb just to check things out two months after surgery. It felt so good I immediately went to my 52lb bows and have been shooting regularly since with no problems.

I have no clue what the answer is, but I will send up a prayer for a full and complete recovery that gets you shooting sooner than later!

Bisch

[David Mitchell]

Don, I think it would matter how the valve was replaced.  If it was open chest it would take longer I would think (my opinion...never had it done).  If they did it through the cath procedure (which is what I think you had), it would probably take less time to be up and running. Be sure if the doc tells you it's ok to return to "normal activity" that you both understand what that includes.  I have a friend who had some serious shoulder surgery.  After quite a bit of rehab, the doc said ok on "normal activity".  When my buddy questioned further the doctor said that shooting bows "is not a normal activity."  I'm glad you have done well.  I have followed the thread on the WV forum.  Take care and don't rush things.

[hitman]

Sorry, should have given more details. I had aerortic valve replacement which was minimal invasive. They did not split the sternum. Go back to see the surgeon today, maybe he will give me some answers.

[hitman]

Thanks to everyone that has been sending their prayers and best wishes for my recovery. Tuesday was 2 weeks from surgery and I am now getting my appetite and a little strength back. It really knocked me for a bigger loop than I expected. Missing turkey season but enjoying stories of others. Thanks

[East Coast archer]

Don- I had a full on open heart 3 years ago to remove a tumor in September of that year.  Ruined my planned elk hunt but I was hunting November of that year with a bow that was 12 pounds lighter then my normal weight.  Scared the sh/! out of me the first time I drew the bow.  Of course my surgeon didn't give me the green light until December but that was for fear of falling out of a tree.  I was only 47 at the time and in relatively good shape.  Some of my cardiac wing compadres were much older and couldn't do much til 6 months later.  My suggestion is listen to your doc and since it was minimally invasive I think you will be good soon unless you over exert yourself.  My issue was more the wait for the sternum to fully heal but I was always stubborn anyway.

[K.S.TRAPPER]

I had a 9 hour open heart surgery to replace a valve at 50 in April of that year Tuff surgery! But took my time built a few light weight bows for practice did my PT and worked my way back to my lighter hunting bows #54 by end of October. Had a great season but sure changed a few things or me, you will be fine not being opened up.

Prayers for a quick and complete recovery and congrats to the rest of you guys for your recoverys and success.      

Tracy

[Tree Killer]

I had a heart attack Aug 23, 2010...quadruple bypass three days later.

In February I started stretching a string on a 40# bow. But it was a long 9 months till I was able to get my hunting bow to full draw.

Take your time, and get some of those rubber exercise bands. They're great for going through the motion of drawing your bow and keeping the back/shoulder muscles loose.

Ron

[Barry Wensel]

I can't be much help yet since I'm going through it right now. Had a triple by-pass on 4/6/16. Day before yesterday I had an hour and a half appointment with the doc. They were raving about how good I'm doing since surgery was only three weeks ago. But they probably tell that to all the handsome patients. I'm just doing what I'm told and leaving it up to the experts, including cardiac rehab 3/week. They are saying I'll be good as new come October. While I'm here I wanted to say thank you for all your thoughts and prayers. I really appreciated that. No sweat... well.. maybe just a little sweat. Ha.  BW

[reddogge]

Take it from me Barry, you'll feel like a new man eventually (hard to believe that now I suppose but it's true). When you are recovering just remember walking is your best friend.

[East Coast archer]

Reddogge hit the nail on the head.  Walk, walk,walk.  I used my trail cams on the edge of fields as my therapy.  Checked on em and scouted for deer as well from the opposite field edge.  Doc didn't want me going into the woods for fear of tripping in the beginning.

[John Krause]

I had quad bypass Oct 22, 2009. I shot a deer with a 30-06 in mid Nov. Dec 28 or so (right around there) I killed a six pointer with a 50 lb Bear Kodiak Hunter.

Yeh, I' m stupid. Tough but stupid.    I didn't have a heart problem (no H attack) just blockages. Been running the hills hard since. Just turned 60.

[John Krause]

I walked so much the four weeks after surgery my feet hurt . Couldn't really do anything else.

[Gray Buffalo]

I had my artic valve replaced with an artificial valve in 1995 and it was about 8 weeks and I started with a 30# bow.

[Gray Buffalo]

By the way.   No more trees for you. A fall could pop the new valve out and that wouldn't be good.

[Green]

Thanks for all the great advice in this thread.  Especially the use of the Therabands to begin to get the breastbone (and the mind) used to the motions again.

I had a quad bypass a month ago and was told I can start shooting again "some time in July".  I am walking 5 miles a day, but only doing limited upper body stuff at this point.  

You fella's have helped me chart a course, and I'm grateful for the responses in this thread.