Heart Bypass Surgery: Purpose & Procedure

 Heart bypass surgery, also known as coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, is performed to improve the heart's blood flow. A surgeon can bypass the damaged arteries by removing blood vessels from another body part. Worldwide about 200,000 of life saving heart surgeries are done by doctors annually.

Contrary to popular belief, there are numerous misconceptions concerning bypass surgery, and many believe it can have negative outcomes. Individuals with blockages that cover more than 70% of their arteries are candidates for this surgery since angioplasty, which involves placing stents in the arteries to enhance blood flow, is ineffective. Some basic factors about bypass surgery are addressed by Dr. Sujay Shad, Professor, Senior Consultant in Cardiac Surgery, Director of Cardiac Transplants at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and the top heart doctor in Delhi.

What is Heart Bypass Surgery?

Heart bypass surgery is performed when coronary arteries become clogged or damaged. The oxygenated blood is delivered to the heart by these arteries. If these arteries are blocked, or blood flow is restricted, the heart cannot work properly. This may result in heart failure.

Bypass surgery is one of the most popular kinds of open-heart surgery. Most people have great outcomes and enjoy a decade or longer of symptom-free living. One will still require a balanced diet, regular exercise, and perhaps medication to stop more blockages. However, before the procedure, one should be aware of what to expect, how to prepare, potential difficulties, and the course of the recovery.

Why Does One Need a Heart Bypass?

The symptoms of coronary artery disease are treated with bypass surgery. This occurs when plaque, a waxy substance, accumulates inside the arteries of the heart and prevents blood and oxygen from getting to it.

Heart bypass surgery may be recommended by the doctor if,

• One experiences severe chest discomfort that the doctor believes is caused by a blockage in a number of the arteries that carry blood to the heart.
• The left ventricle, which pumps the majority of the blood, isn't functioning as it should because at least one of the coronary arteries is diseased.
• The left main coronary artery, which supplies the majority of the blood to the left ventricle, is blocked.
• Other procedures one has undergone either didn't work or made the arteries narrower once more.
• One now has obstructions.

A coronary artery disease can result in heart attack. It can result in a blood clot and stop the flow of blood. The sufferer can benefit greatly from a bypass procedure.

What Happens During a Heart Bypass?

Most procedures last between three and six hours. One will be sleeping off the entire time. The doctor will place a breathing tube in the patient's mouth. It is connected to a ventilator, which will take care of breathing during and immediately after the procedure.

• The heart surgeon will cut down the chest from the centre. The patient’s rib cage will then be spread open, allowing the surgeon access to the heart.
• The patient’s heart will be momentarily stopped using medicines by the surgical team. While the heart isn't beating, a device known as a heart-lung machine will keep blood and oxygen moving through the patient's body.
• A blood vessel, known as a graft, will then be removed by the surgeon from another area of the body, such as the chest, leg, or arm. One end of it will be connected to the patient's aorta, a sizable artery that leaves the heart. The second end is then attached to an artery that is below the obstruction.
• Due to the graft, the blood now has a new pathway to the heart. The surgeon might do several bypass procedures during the same procedure if one has many blockages (double bypass, triple bypass, etc.).
• The surgeon might not need to stop the heart in some circumstances. Others merely require minor trims. These procedures are named "keyhole." They are referred to as "off-pump" procedures.
• Robotic surgical tools are used during some operations. The optimal surgery for one will be suggested by the heart surgeon after a proper examination.

Before the procedure, one should discuss these with the surgeon. One will be able to exercise more, and the chances of suffering a heart attack will be reduced. The procedure can lengthen one’s life, which is the best part. 

One can get the best heart bypass surgery done by the renowned heart surgeon Dr. Sujay Shad at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, heart hospital in Delhi. The doctor will first thoroughly examine the patient before making the best recommendations. 

Visit Sir Ganga Ram Hospital to learn more about the bypass surgery cost in Delhi. 

How To Maintain Heart Health During Winter?

 In wintertime, temperature fluctuation may have unanticipated effects on health, particularly on the heart. Keeping this in mind, it is essential to comprehend the cause and methods for protecting the heart in this weather. ‘Let’s explore why heart attacks are more prevalent in  winter and how to prevent them with the valuable information shared by the best cardiac surgeon in Delhi’, Dr. Sujay Shad practicing at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, one of the best heart hospitals in India.

Are heart attacks common during  winter?

Cold causes constriction of blood vessels. As a result, the risk of stroke and heart attack may also increase. The narrowing of coronary arteries during the winter might exacerbate angina or chest pain caused by coronary heart disease.

The heart works harder to maintain a normal body temperature when it is chilly outdoors. Because winter winds cause the body to lose heat more rapidly, they may exacerbate the condition. If the body temperature dips below 95 degrees Fahrenheit, hypothermia may injure the heart muscle.

Due to elevated blood pressure, the coronary arteries may constrict, reducing the amount of blood and oxygen reaching the heart and its muscles. The consequence may be a heart attack.

In winter season, the human body perspires more compared to summer, as a result increasing the blood volume. The increased fluid retention in the body causes higher blood pressure and an increased risk of a heart attack.

Cold weather influences people’s behavior. Weight gain and less physical activity are two examples. These two factors raise the probability of developing issues that could lead to a heart attack. In addition, individuals may consume more food, exacerbating the weight gain issue.

The decrease in solar exposure is an additional major effect. This decreased exposure to sunlight could lead to Vitamin D insufficiency if people spend more time indoors or if certain regions receive less sunlight. Numerous studies have investigated the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and cardiovascular diseases.

How to maintain a healthy heart throughout the winter?

As with the majority of illnesses, there are preventative actions one can take to reduce the disease risk. Similarly, various corrective and preventative measures can assist in reducing the incidence of heart attacks during the winter.

Follow these steps to improve heart health:

·   Eat well during winter. Avoid fried, greasy, sugary, and cholesterol-rich foods, as they can increase the risk of getting heart disease.

·   The most important thing is to be warm. If one is prone to cold conditions, wear-in sufficient layers to keep the body warm.

·   Maintain physical activity throughout the winter, even if it seems difficult. It is not necessary to exercise outside. Yoga, dancing, light aerobics, home workouts, and meditation can all be performed indoors. Regular activity maintains fitness and keeps the body warm.

·   Avoid exceeding the bounds. If one has heart problems, one should avoid strenuous labor and take short time between jobs.

·   Abstain from excessive alcohol consumption.

·   Maintain a close watch on medical concerns such as kidney, cardiovascular, and blood pressure difficulties. These conditions raise the chance of developing cardiac issues if left untreated.

·   Quit smoking since it increases the chance of acquiring heart problems.

·   Consume hot foods in chilly weather to keep the body warm.

·   Those with heart problems should avoid sudden cold strokes by being indoors on chilly days.

·   Remember these tips if one wishes to keep a healthy heart throughout the winter and beyond.For more valuable insight on heart health and if one is experiencing any issues related to their heart, they can consult Dr. Sujay Shad, a top heart surgeon in Delhi.