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.

Heart Attack and Sudden Cardiac Arrest: The Differences

Imagine if one is out for dinner and suddenly a person sitting next to them clutches their chest and falls from the chair, collapsing to the ground. While many people will say the person suffered a heart attack, others might believe it to be a cardiac arrest. It's common to use the terms "heart attack" and "cardiac arrest" interchangeably. However, in actuality, they are distinct, typically with different causes and requiring a different response.

This blog is drafted by taking insights from Dr. Sujay Shad, a leading heart surgery doctor in Delhi who practices at a multi-speciality hospital, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. In this blog, he has shared key points about the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest. Along with that, he has also discussed how to recognize each and what to do if someone in our family suffers from one.

Heart Attacks and Cardiac Arrest are Considered Different

A heart attack occurs if the artery (blood vessel) that supplies blood to the heart tissue becomes blocked. The heart typically continues to beat despite this, which results in a lack of oxygen, the death of cardiac cells, and symptoms like chest pain. Cardiac arrest, on the other hand, refers to when the heart stops beating. Heart attacks can sometimes result in cardiac arrest, but there are numerous other reasons why this can happen. When the heart stops pumping the brain and other organs and tissues with blood and oxygen, this is called cardiac arrest. It could be caused by anything that can make the heart stop beating, i.e., some severe heart attacks. Cardiac arrest may also result from a heart attack. However, heart attacks are not the only reason for cardiac arrests.

Most Heart Attacks are Not Associated With a Cardiac Arrest

Although cardiac arrest may occur from a heart attack, most do not. The blockage that results in a heart attack might happen suddenly, but the narrowing of the heart's arteries that leads to the obstruction usually takes place over a longer period of time. High blood pressure, diabetes, and unhealthy lifestyle choices increase the risk of the narrowing of blood vessels. When people exert themselves, chest pain is caused by restricted blood flow, which worsens as the narrowing becomes severe. Individuals would experience chest pain if they exerted themselves, which occurs due to restricted blood flow.

Angina indicates blockages but does not involve active damage to the heart muscles. If the pain does not go away, it points towards a heart attack. To seek medical attention from a cardiologist, it would be best to consult Dr. Sujay Shad, the best cardiac surgeon in India.

What are the Signs of Heart Attack and Cardiac Arrest?

Following are the symptoms of a heart attack:

• Chest pain (angina)
• Shortness of breath
• Trouble breathing
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Nausea or indigestion
• Heart palpitations
• Anxiety
• Sweating
• Dizziness or lightheadedness.

Following are the symptoms of a cardiac arrest:

• Fainting
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea and vomiting
• Heart palpitations
• Dizziness or lightheadedness

Is Heart Attack and Cardiac Arrest Both Medical Emergencies?

The fact that both cardiac arrests and heart attacks are life-threatening and need medical intervention is one thing they have in common. A heart attack is not like a stroke. Individuals who suffer from a heart attack should always have an ambulance to take them to the hospital instead of driving themselves.

For cardiac arrest, one must ensure that medical help is on the way as soon as possible. CPR, i.e., cardiopulmonary resuscitation, should be immediately started and should not be delayed.

Summary

There are several differences between a heart attack and cardiac arrest. A heart attack occurs if the blood supply to part of the heart stops and causes a part of the heart muscle to die. A cardiac arrest, however, happens when the heart stops beating altogether. The signs of a heart attack can vary. The primary signs of a cardiac arrest, in contrast, are unconsciousness, absence of breathing, and no pulse. Finally, there are numerous different causes of cardiac arrest, whereas coronary heart disease is the main cause of heart attacks.

So, now that you have understood the differences between cardiac arrest and heart attack, if one seeks guidance on heart surgeries, one can book a consultation with Dr. Sujay Shad at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Rajinder Nagar. Over the years, he has performed several life-saving heart procedures, such as bypass surgeries, aortic surgery, HOCM, heart transplants, and many more. For more details, consult Dr. Sujay Shad, the best cardiac surgeon in Delhi, India today.