[js1138]

He might be physically OK, but people often show mental problems after open heart surgery, whther from blood clots or from the various medications. He might not be sharp enough to be seen in public.

[Inspectorette]

He might be physically OK, but people often show mental problems after open heart surgery, whther from blood clots or from the various medications. He might not be sharp enough to be seen in public.

I agree with this. I had a heart attack at age 47, went into cardiac arrest twice. Was horribly depressed and morbid for nearly six months after.

A near-death experience is an awesome, terrible thing, and the emotional damage often outlasts the physical.

That said, even though I couldn't stand him as president, I'm praying for his recovery.

[turbojesse]

It's called "Pumphead" syndrome and some people come back from it faster than others and some not at all. It's cause by being on the Heart Lung machine. Diminished mental capacity similar to a stroke.

[i.l.e.]

He might be physically OK, but people often show mental problems after open heart surgery,

It's something to do with tiny air bubbles caused by the blood recirculator. The bubbles lodge in the small brain capillaries and cause small stroke like problems. Memory loss, vision and sensory problems. Sometimes permanent.

But if you're the infallible Bill Clinton and you choose to have heart surgery at the worst possible institution (percentage of deaths) in the state of New York then it's just a dog gone shame.

[mdmathis6]

I've often been aware of profound mental changes in my patients(as an ICU) post open heart surgery, many go thru a depression of sorts. It's hard for experts to quantify the reasons medically, it's often a combination of factors. Often the thoughts of potential sudden mortality and imposed activity limitations can trigger a type of involutional depression. To further complicate this depression, various cardiac medications can negatively impact libido and sexual performance!

Certainly medicines can affect the sensorium post cardiac surgery. The brain is also vulnerable intraoperatively to circulation changes(especially when cardiac functions are interupted briefly and/or patients transitioned to heart lung machines, ect) and mild anoxic damage can occur, detectable as personality changes and depression post operatively! Most family members complain of a "blunting" of affect and loss of emotional spontaneity, a loss of initiative and drive. Heart transplant patients seem to suffer most from these medical and psychological side effects, though bypass patients seem to suffer from these effects in significant numbers as well.

[mountaineer]

He might be physically OK, but people often show mental problems after open heart surgery

I've read also that many heart patients can become quite depressed, post-op. If he's in the doldrums, it would be hard for Blubba to fake enthusiasm for a guy he probably doesn't like at all.

[null and void]

He might be physically OK, but people often show mental problems after open heart surgery, whther from blood clots or from the various medications. He might not be sharp enough to be seen in public.

Yeah. I was thinking Pump Head, too.

[El Gran Salseron]

"He might be physically OK, but people often show mental problems after open heart surgery,"

Who in the world shared that myth with you?

[wardaddy]

I functioned great on percocet myself....I miss them.

Post operative heart surgery is hard on anyone....the degree depends on many factors...age, degree of damage, mental attitude.

I loathe Clinton but he is one determined charlatan and I bet he makes an appearance before the election....if he wants to help....which he may not.

Some folks who have never had any health problems get sort of emo after cardiac surgery because it is definitely a life wake up call and a mortality reminder.