Open Heart Surgery: All You Need to Know

The very mention of open-heart surgery can instil fear in someone’s heart and god-forbid if it happens to a dear one, this can really shake you. Unfortunately, open-heart surgeries have become common these days, especially for people in their middle-age.

Most people do not know that an open-heart surgery can be performed due to a variety of reasons and that too on varied ranges. Here are some reasons why an open-heart surgery is performed:

•         In order to replace or repair heart valves
•          Repair abnormally working areas of the heart
•         Implanting medical devices to make the heart work properly
•         Heart transplantation

Typical reasons for an open-heart surgery

As per the statement of top heart surgeons in India, following an erratic lifestyle is one of the prime reasons for developing heart issues. Some of the reasons why an open-heart surgery is important is as follows:  

•          Chest infection
•          Obesity
•         Diabetes
•         Heart attack
•          Stress and anxiety
•          Kidney failure
•          Irregular heartbeat
•         Blood clot
•         Blood loss
•         Respiratory issues

Preparing for an open-heart surgery

Getting prepared for an open-heart surgery is a cumbersome procedure in itself. There are many options as far as open-heart surgery in India is concerned but we suggest you go for a doctor who really understands your case.

Support from family and friends is required in such critical situations and here is how you can prepare for the surgery:

•          Tell your doctor about the medication you are on
•         Mention about the illness you are going through even if it is a flu
•          Quit smoking and alcohol within a month’s time of the surgery
•         Stop taking blood-thinning medications such as aspirin, naproxen, and ibuprofen 
•         In case you are facing seizures and tremors, consult a doctor
•          Stay away from any kind of mental and emotional stress a month before the surgery

Types of open-heart surgery:

A heart surgery is usually of two kinds. Let’s discuss them a bit more

Heart valve replacement or repair surgery: Valves perform the task of maintaining blood flow in entire body; if damaged it can lead to major issues. Depending upon the severity of case, the replacement surgery is done.          

Heart bypass surgery: Also known as coronary artery or bypass grafting surgery, this procedure is done in extreme critical cases. When blockage reaches up to a great amount, less blood flows within arteries that can lead to even heart stroke in some cases. In such cases a bypass surgery becomes imperative to reduce the chances of heart attack.