Feeling shortness of breath after having a quadruple bypass surgery
Patient: My 71 year old brother had quadruple bypass surgery about three weeks ago and has his first visit to the cardiologist tomorrow.  My brother still has shortness of breath and is on oxygen, he is sleeping in a chair in the rehab afraid to lie in bed because he cannot breathe when lying down.  What questions should he be ready to ask his cardiologist in his visit tomorrow.  Oh, he is also a diabetic. Doctor: Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic. I can understand your brother's situation and problem. Breathlessness on lying down is not a good sign after bypass surgery. This suggests heart failure due to poor pumping of heart. So he should ask for 2d echo to to determine heart function. About treatment, diuretics and inotropic drugs (this drugs increase heart pumping) are useful in his case. So discuss about starting these drugs in his case. Also ask cardiologist about daily fluid intake and food. Hope I have solved your query. Wishing good health to your brother. Thanks.