When Heart Bypass Surgery is Recommended?

The most important role of the heart is to pump blood to all cells of the body, and the blood vessels offer a pathway for the blood to travel. The doctor might suggest heart bypass surgery if one or more arteries are damaged or partially obstructed.

In this blog, Dr. Sujay Shad, a famous heart doctor in Delhi, has given crucial information which is utilized to discuss what heart bypass surgery is and when it is recommended. Continue reading for more insights.

What is Heart Bypass Surgery?

A heart bypass surgery is performed to improve the blood circulation of the heart. During the surgery, a heart surgeon takes blood vessels from other areas of the body to bypass the blocked or damaged arteries. The risk of a heart attack and other heart-related issues decreases after this procedure. Usually, the procedure is carried out when coronary arteries become clogged or damaged.

Depending on how many arteries are blocked, the doctor may recommend the following:

• Single Bypass Surgery– One artery gets blocked
• Double Bypass Surgery– Two arteries get blocked
• Triple Bypass Surgery– Three arteries get blocked
• Quadruple Bypass Surgery – Four arteries get blocked

To learn more about bypass surgery, one can consider booking a consultation with the best heart surgeon in Delhi, i.e., Dr. Sujay Shad, at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.

When Can One Consider Heart Bypass Surgery?

Heart bypass surgery, also known as coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, is advised in situations of severe coronary artery disease. The decision to recommend heart bypass surgery is based on several factors, including:

1. Severity of Coronary Artery Disease: A bypass surgery is recommended when there are major blockages or narrowing in coronary arteries, especially if these blockages are impeding blood flow to the heart muscles.

2. Symptoms: If a person with coronary artery disease experiences severe chest pain that is not controlled with medications, despite making lifestyle changes, this may require bypass surgery.

3. Failed Medical Treatment: If lifestyle changes and medications fail to manage the symptoms of coronary artery diseases, surgery would be advised.

4. Heart Function: If the heart’s pumping function is affected due to coronary artery disease, surgery may be recommended to improve blood flow and the overall functioning of the heart.

5. Location of Blockages: The location and complexity of the blockages could also play a major role. If the blockages are present in critical arteries or are difficult to treat using less invasive methods such as angioplasty or stenting, bypass surgery could be considered an effective option.

6. Number of Blockages: If there are multiple blockages that are difficult to treat with other interventions, bypass surgery could be recommended.

7. Overall Health of the Patient: The patient's general health and ability to undergo the surgery are important factors. Factors such as the presence of other medical conditions, age, and surgical risks are considered.

One must understand that heart bypass surgery is a major procedure, and the decision to undergo the surgery depends on the surgeon. The surgeon will thoroughly review the patient's medical history, test results, symptoms, and general health before deciding on the surgery.

Who is Not a Suitable Candidate for Heart Bypass Surgery?

One may not be a suitable candidate for heart bypass surgery if they have:

• Pre-existing conditions such as blood disease, heart valve diseases, etc.
• Severe physical disabilities, such as the inability to take care of themselves
• Diseases of other organs, such as the kidneys or lungs
• Advanced illnesses such as cancer, liver failure, or AIDS.

What Happens After a Bypass Surgery?

The patient will be taken to the intensive care unit (ICU) to monitor the condition. They will still be breathing with the ventilator but could be experiencing some of the heart bypass surgery side effects. This will include pain while breathing, coughing, and at the incision site. These are normal and will become better in a few days. The vital signs, such as blood pressure and heart rate, will be regularly monitored while the patient is in the ICU for one to two days. The patient will be shifted from the intensive care unit to a regular room once the condition is stable, and from there, they will be discharged in 3 to 5 days.

One can follow these tips for speeding up their recovery process:

• Do not drive for at least six to eight weeks.
• Avoid indulging in intense workouts. Instead, perform cardiac rehabilitation if the doctor has recommended it. Cardiac rehabilitation is a personalized workout program that teaches healthy living habits.
• Perform simple household work only when one recovers.
• Avoid smoking and consuming alcohol.

The duration of the bypass surgery depends on the patient's overall health and the type of bypass surgeries one has had. To learn about the bypass surgery cost in Delhi, one can book a consultation with Dr. Sujay Shad, a reputed heart specialist at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. Besides heart bypass surgeries, he can also be consulted for other heart procedures such as heart transplants, aortic surgeries, heart valve surgery, aortic dissection, etc.