Thank you . I had another opinion but they are leaving it up to me. No family support.☹️
May 5
@A myALZteam Member. If it were my husband, I would get a second opinion from another heart surgeon for advice regarding other options and risks/benefits. Valve surgery is no small thing.
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A myALZte...
May 5
That's a very understandable concern, and it's one that many caregivers in your situation share. The worry about surgery making dementia symptoms worse is real and worth discussing openly with his medical team before any procedure.
There are a few things worth knowing:
- Anesthesia and surgery can sometimes cause Show Full Answer
That's a very understandable concern, and it's one that many caregivers in your situation share. The worry about surgery making dementia symptoms worse is real and worth discussing openly with his medical team before any procedure.
There are a few things worth knowing:
- Anesthesia and surgery can sometimes cause temporary confusion or delirium in older adults with dementia, which may look like a sudden worsening
- Post-operative delirium is common in older patients and can be frightening, but it is sometimes temporary
- Reduced blood flow to the brain, which can happen during or after heart surgery, may affect cognitive function
- The surgical team should know about his dementia diagnosis so they can take extra precautions and monitor him closely It's really important to have a detailed conversation with both his cardiologist and neurologist together if possible. Ask them specifically about the risks surgery poses given his current stage of dementia.
A myALZteam member shared a similar experience, noting that when her husband was hospitalized, he became confused during the night — a reminder of how disorienting medical settings can be for someone with dementia.
Bringing a trusted family member to appointments to help ask questions and remember answers can make a big difference. You are clearly a devoted advocate for him. 💙
May 4
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