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What Causes Low Incentive Spirometry Number Post Bypass Surgery?

Posted on Wed, 12 Oct 2016

Question: I have gone thru bypass surgery last Oct, had cardiac therapy and pulmonary therapy for 3 months and still have a problem with stamina and keeping my oxygen level up. My before and after numbers on the incentive spirometer were 1600 and 1100. Should these numbers raised a red flag to the doctors? They don't seem to have any ready answers. What else can I try?

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (14 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, you should definitely investigate further.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Yes, you should definitely investigate further.
Your incentive spirometry number has been reduced after bypass surgery.
This is something that should not be happened after bypass surgery.
Either it should stay same or it should increase.
So in my opinion, you should get done pulmonary function test (PFT) and Chest x ray first to rule out pulmonary causes.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (22 hours later)

Is PFT the same as a breathing test? I have had a breathing test and it showed that I was low on 4 points. I have just had a CT scan and am waiting to discuss the results with my pulmonary doctor in person. Here's hoping I can get some positive answers. I know I have a lot of questions.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, PFT is mostly same as breathing test.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Mostly breathing test you have gone through is PFT only.
But let me check.
PFT is done by blowing in computer like machine which gives us graphs and values like FEV1, FVC, FEV1 /FVC ratio etc.
So are you talking about the same breathing test?
Let me know if this is different.
If you are 4 point down on PFT means you are having severe functional lung decrease and this can be the reason for your symptoms.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (6 hours later)

Sounds like the test I had. My pulmonary doctor scheduled me for the 2nd of Nov, but I e-mailed back if they could schedule me with another doctor, but I haven't heard back yet. I said that was TOO long, if I had a change in my health, the CT scan would be outdated before I talked to the doctor!!! Maybe I have to get Trump to shake them up, ha! Here's hoping good happens. XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (12 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, you should definitely try for early pulmonologist appointment.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Sorry for late reply as I was busy.
Yes, you should definitely try for early pulmonologist appointment.
You may need inhaled bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroid to improve your breathing test and symptoms.
Hope I have solved your query. If you are not having further queries, then please close the conversation and rate my answer.
You can ask me directly on bit.ly/askdrkaushalbhavsar.
Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Priyanka G Raj