Heart Surgery: What You Need to Know

Introduction

Heart surgery is a medical procedure used to treat various heart conditions, including blocked arteries, heart valve disease, and congenital heart defects. It can be life-saving and significantly improve a patient's quality of life.

Types of Heart Surgery

  1. Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) – Used to treat blocked arteries and restore blood flow to the heart muscle.
  2. Heart Valve Repair or Replacement – Involves repairing or replacing damaged heart valves to ensure proper blood circulation.
  3. Congenital Heart Surgery – Performed to correct heart defects that are present from birth.
  4. Aneurysm Repair – A procedure to repair a weakened area in the artery wall that can lead to life-threatening complications.
  5. Heart Transplant – A final option for patients with end-stage heart failure, involving replacing a diseased heart with a healthy donor heart.

Preparation for Surgery

  • Diagnostic Tests: Patients undergo blood tests, ECG, echocardiography, and sometimes cardiac catheterization.
  • Medication Adjustments: Certain medications may be stopped or adjusted before surgery.
  • Lifestyle Changes: Patients are often advised to stop smoking, manage their diet, and exercise appropriately.

Risks and Recovery

Risks:

  • Infection
  • Bleeding
  • Arrhythmias
  • Blood clots
  • Stroke or heart attack

Recovery:

  • Hospital Stay: 5–7 days on average
  • Physical Rehabilitation: Cardiac rehabilitation programs help restore mobility and heart health.
  • Lifestyle Changes: A heart-healthy diet, exercise, and medication adherence are essential.

Conclusion

Heart surgery is a common and effective treatment for severe heart disease. Proper preparation, post-operative care, and lifestyle modifications play a vital role in ensuring successful outcomes.

Source recommendations

1. American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Guidelines for Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

  1. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001038
  2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34882435/
  3. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/cir.0b013e31823c074e
  4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22064600/
  5. https://newsroom.heart.org/news/american-college-of-cardiology-american-heart-association-issue-coronary-artery-revascularization-guideline

2. European Society of Cardiology Guidelines on Cardiovascular Surgery

  1. https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/ESC-Guidelines-on-non-cardiac-surgery-cardiovascular-assessment-and-managem
  2. https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/43/39/3826/6675076
  3. https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Recommended-Reading/Cardiovascular-Surgery
  4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36017553/
  5. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/fullarticle/2732511

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