Return to work after CABG

[BulldogEMS]

Good day all,

After a few searches, I haven't found any topics with this question so here goes.

Has anyone out there returned to street work (particularly ALS in a high volume, urban 9-1-1 system) s/p traditional multi vessel CABG?

If so, any thoughts, advice, etc. would be greatly appreciated.

[Just Plain Ruff]

I think Bulldog it's like any other medical question that gets posted out there. I of course am zipper free but here goes nothing

If you follow your doctors advice, if the doctor say "go for it" and you feel like you are physically and medically fit to go back, then why not. But if your doctor expresses reservations about you/or someone returning to work after this type of procedure, then I would listen to him/her and give it significant thought. Going back to work in EMS post CABG is not like going back to work post cabg as a computer programmer or cashier. It's high stress and high exertion and if your doctor says "not a good idea" then I would listen to him.

But what's the worst that can happen, if you code at least you'll have a partner who can start treatment on you as soon as you go down (just trying to lighten the mood ha ha).

But seriously, if you are physically fit enough to go back, then go for it. But, I suspect that there was a major etiology that caused you to need a MULTI vessel bypass and there are medical issues that you need to address beyond the zipper club fixing that part.

Good luck in whatever you do, and seriously, there is life after EMS, there really is.

[Arctickat]

My dad never had CABG, but did get 2 angios done on a total of 5 arteries. Kept working for years afterward.

[BulldogEMS]

Thanks Cap'n. That is ultimately the tact that I will be taking. Fortunately it seems we caught this early & the functional prognosis seems good but the point you raised about "high stress, high exertion" is exactly what I was thinking about in relation to the grafts as well as the sternotomy. It's still early in the process but I just wanted to reach out and see if anyone out there had any first hand experience/advice. And you're absolutely right... I couldn't think of a better place to drop! It's already happened to one coworker on a call & he's back to work with a pacer/ICD!

Thanks Artickat! That's good to know!

[Just Plain Ruff]

Yeah bulldog, but I can tell you, I'd hate to be a new zipper patient with the metal holding my sternum closed and lift some big heavy patient. I cant imagine what that would feel like. I just cringe and I'll bet you probably are as well.