6 Signs That Indicate It's Time to Consult a Cardiac Surgeon

Cardiac surgeons, also known as cardiovascular surgeons, are one of the kinds of cardiothoracic surgeons who specialise in the surgeries done on the heart, its structures and heart valves, and the main veins and arteries around it. They should not be thought of as cardiologists or doctors who help diagnose and treat heart disease. Typically, many cardiologists refer a patient to the Best Cardiac Surgeon in India at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital when there is a need for heart surgery. A cardiologist diagnoses the patient’s heart condition and then checks if there is a need for surgery.

What are signs you should get your heart checked?

 

A cardiac surgeon can surgically treat a variety of cardiac health issues like coronary artery blockage, heart valve disease, aortic aneurysms, heart arrhythmia, and heart failure. When there is a need for cardiac surgery, it’s time to see a cardiac surgeon. But, for anyone who has no known heart condition, deciding when to see a cardiac surgeon may be confusing or difficult. In such a case, there are some symptoms to look out for.  

 

Here are the 6 signs that point out the need to see a cardiac surgeon:

 

1.  Pain or discomfort in the chest: It’s a hallmark sign of the heart not receiving sufficient blood, probably a heart attack that can only be surgically treated.

 

2.  Shortness of breath, palpitating heart, or dizziness: Such signs could be of irregular heartbeat or coronary artery disease that requires a surgical intervention.

 

3.  Chronic hypertension: Those who have had high blood pressure for a long time may be at high risk of heart stroke and attack as the heart works harder to pump blood.  

 

4.  Severe kidney disease or diabetes: There is a high link between diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Diabetics are at high risk of developing coronary artery disease that needs surgical treatment. Moreover, those who have severe kidney disease are at high risk of heart failure which may require cardiac surgery. 

 

5.  History of elevated cholesterol: High cholesterol may result in arteriosclerosis that further causes the blocking of arteries and hypertension. In such a case, a cardiac surgeon can help by performing bypass graft surgery.

 

6.  Unexplained swelling in the lower body like ankles, feet, abdomen, or legs: These could be signs of heart failure. A cardiac surgeon may be required to treat underlying heart issues and alleviate such swelling.

 

It is important that one must not neglect these signs and consult with a cardiac surgeon or heart doctor, shares Dr. Sujay Shad, a senior cardiac surgeon practising at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. Dr. Sujay Shad is an expert heart surgeon with expertise in heart surgeries, heart transplants, open heart surgery, and popularly known for Mitral Valve Repair in India.

 

Consult him if you are suffering from any heart issues or want more details on any type of cardiac surgery!

Can Rheumatic Heart Disease Lead To Heart Failure?

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a heart problem. It occurs when a streptococcal infection remains untreated, especially in places where medical care is not easily accessible. People can avoid getting Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD), but it still affects millions of people around the world, mostly by hurting the heart valves. Even though the initial cause may seem far away, like a case of strep throat that wasn't addressed, the results can be terrible, even leading to heart failure. This blog looks at the complicated link between rheumatic heart disease and heart failure. Regarding this, the blog has been enriched with references from top-notch experts in heart failure surgery in Delhi and Mumbai (metro cities renowned for the best heart surgeons in India). 

An Overview of Rheumatic Heart Disease 

If one is unable to treat streptococcal illness, especially strep throat, the person can get down with rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disorder that can lead to rheumatic heart disease. 

How Rheumatic Heart Disease Leads to Heart Failure?

RHD can lead to an autoimmune reaction, and as a result, systemic inflammation forms. This condition affects the cardiovascular system. Within a certain amount of time, this inflammation could hurt the heart valves, making them less able to work properly and changing the flow of blood. The most common valve to be affected is the mitral valve, but other valves can also be impacted. 

As rheumatic heart disease gets worse, the heart valves gradually lose their ability to work. This leads to heart failure. Because the situation gets worse, the damaged valves have a harder time controlling the flow of blood. Unfortunately, this puts too much stress on the heart, making it work harder to make up for the valve's reduced function. Heart failure is a disorder in which the heart can't pump blood properly to meet the body's needs. Over time, the increasing amount of effort could lead to heart failure.

Factors of RHD Cause Heart Failure

• Damage of the Heart Valve

Heart failure is caused by a number of reasons that make rheumatic heart disease worse. At first, the damaged heart valves stop the blood from moving normally inside the heart chambers, which makes pumping less effective. This can cause fluid to build up in the lungs (pulmonary congestion) and other parts of the body, which can make it hard to breathe and cause the legs and belly to swell. If heart valve damage is diagnosed in a timely manner, heart failure can be eliminated. For this, heart valve repair replacement surgery is the most effective method. 

• Artery Blockage

The constant stress that a broken valve puts on the heart muscle could lead to enlargement, which means that the heart muscle gets thicker. At first, this might work as a way to make up for lost heart output. Over time, though, it could make it harder for the heart to relax and fill up with blood properly, which would make heart failure worse.

Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery (CABS) is an effective way to treat artery blockage. To consider this treatment, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Sujay Shad, renowned as the best bypass surgeon in Delhi. 

• Blood Clots 

When heart valves don't work properly, they can change the way blood flows, which can make people more likely to form blood clots. These blood clots can move to other parts of the body, which can cause major problems like a stroke or pulmonary embolism. This can make it harder for people with rheumatic heart disease to get better from heart failure.

• Prevention and Treatment

The best way to stop rheumatic heart disease is to treat streptococcal illnesses, like strep throat, quickly and properly. If medicines are given right away, rheumatic fever and the damage it causes to heart valves can be avoided. People who already have rheumatic heart disease need to get regular checkups, take antibiotics as a preventative measure, and make changes to their lifestyle in order to keep it under control and avoid complications like heart failure.

Conclusion

Rheumatic heart disease is a major cause of life-threatening health issues, especially in places where there aren't many medical resources. The initial cause, like a strep throat infection, might not seem like a big deal, but the effects could be very bad, even leading to heart failure. Understanding the link between rheumatic heart disease and heart failure emphasizes how important it is to diagnose the condition quickly, take action as soon as possible, and put in place a variety of management strategies. 

To lessen the effects of rheumatic heart disease and its complications, one should try to find and treat the reasons as well as make treatments better. To get more details, visit Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, a popular heart hospital in Delhi, and consult with Dr. Sujay Shad. 

Signs of Heart Failure That One Must Not Ignore

You should know that not all health problems come with warning signs. You may not see an alarming clutch followed by a fall to the floor like you mostly see in the movies. Some heart symptoms happen in the chest, and it’s difficult to tell what’s happening. But you should know one thing: cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure, claim approximately 17.9 million lives worldwide, as per WHO. So, if you are also someone dealing with cardiovascular issues, you are in the right place to seek knowledge.

Based on the insights from Dr. Sujay Shad, the best heart doctor in Delhi at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, here we will discuss what heart failure is and what signs of it you shouldn’t ignore! 

What Is Heart Failure? 

Heart failure is a condition where your heart fails to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. It can result from various underlying issues such as coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, heart valve disorders, etc.

Signs of Heart Failure That You Need To Watch Out For 

• Nausea, Indigestion, Heartburn, or Stomach Pain

Some people may experience nausea, indigestion, heartburn, or stomach pain or in some cases, they may even vomit. As per a recent study, women are more likely to have these symptoms than men. However, you may also have an upset stomach for various reasons unrelated to your heart. It can be related to something you ate, but you should not be deluded that it can not affect your heart health. 

• Chest Discomfort 

Chest discomfort is the most common sign of heart danger. So, if you have a blocked artery or are experiencing a heart attack, you may feel pain, tightness and pressure in your chest. This feeling usually lasts longer than a few minutes. The chances of it happening when you are on rest or doing something physical. If you feel any chest discomfort, consult your doctor. 

• Pain Spreading To The Arm 

Another symptom of a heart attack is the pain that radiates down the left side of the body. When the heart muscle doesn't get enough oxygen-rich blood, it leads to chest pain or discomfort that may spread to the arm, neck, jaw or back. These symptoms usually occur because the heart and the nerves in these areas share the same pain pathways, so pain signals from the heart can be referred to in these regions. However, it's crucial to consult a cardiologist for proper diagnosis and treatment, especially if experiencing chest pain or discomfort.

• Feel Dizzy or Lightheaded 

A lot of changes in your lifestyle can make you feel dizzy or lightheaded, like you are not eating enough or drinking enough or standing up too fast. Regardless, if you feel unsteady and have chest discomfort and shortness of breath, it is best to get medical help immediately.

• Jaw or Throat Pain  

Throat or jaw pain may not be heart-related as in this tissue, a cold or muscle problem usually causes them. However, if you are feeling pain or pressure in the centre of your chest that spreads up to your jaw or throat, it could be a sign of a heart attack that you need to get alert for. 

• Gets Exhausted Easily 

Are you unexpectedly fatigued or winded after doing something you had no problem doing, like carrying groceries from the car or climbing the stairs? In that case, you should immediately make an appointment with your doctor. Feeling extremely exhausted or unexplained weakness, sometimes for days at a time, can be a symptom of heart disease, especially for women. 

• Snoring 

You should know it is normal to snore a little while you sleep. However, unusually loud snoring that sounds more like gasping or choking can indicate sleep apnea. It is when you stop breathing several times in the night while still sleeping. This condition can put extra stress on your heart and increase the risk of risk of heart failure. 

• Irregular Heartbeat 

It may be normal for your heart to race when you are too excited or nervous or skip a beat occasionally. But if you are experiencing something beyond that, like palpations or an irregular heartbeat that persists longer, or if you have any chest pain, pressure, dizziness or shortness of breath, it is best to talk to a cardiologist at the earliest. 

• Your Legs, Ankles, And Feet Are Swollen 

Having swollen legs, ankles, and feet could indicate that your heart doesn't pump blood as effectively as it should. When your heart fails to pump fast enough, blood backs up in the veins and causes bloating. Moreover, heart failure can also make it exceptionally harder for your kidneys to get rid of extra water and sodium from the body, which leads to bloating. 

• Sweating 

Sweating excessively, particularly during rest or exertion, can be a sign of heart failure. It occurs because the body attempts to regulate temperature in response to decreased cardiac output and impaired circulation. If you are experiencing persistent sweating along with other symptoms like shortness of breath and fatigue, you should seek medical consultation immediately. 

Final Words 

The heart is a healthy part of your body, and keeping it healthy is necessary. So make sure you follow a healthy routine by quitting smoking, switching to more nutritious alternatives, adding green and fresh vegetables to your diet, exercising daily, and consulting a cardiologist at the right time. 

You can consult Dr. Sujay Shad at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, the best hospital for heart surgery in Delhi. With more than three decades of experience, he is an expert when it comes to your heart health. So consult him today, and take care of your heart by visiting Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi today! 

When Is Open Heart Surgery Performed?

Heart surgery, medically termed cardiac surgery, refers to any operation done by a heart surgeon on the cardiac muscles, arteries, or valves. The term “open heart surgery” refers to the conventional surgical approach of addressing any heart problems wherein a cut or opening is made in the chest to directly access the heart.

If you have been suggested to undergo open heart surgery to correct blockage, replace diseased heart valves or others, then this article will help you. Dr. Sujay Shad, the best heart surgeon who performs Open Heart Surgery in Delhi at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, will tell you all about this life-saving procedure.

 

What are the common types of open-heart surgery?

In this procedure the heart surgeon cuts through the breastbone and spreads the ribs to reach the heart. During the surgery, the patient is put on a heart-lung bypass machine. The patient’s heart beating is stopped and the heart’s working is taken over by the bypass machine. 

 

Open heart surgery is commonly of the following kinds:

Heart bypass surgery (Coronary Artery Bypass Graft): This surgery is performed in case of blockage. It involves creating a separate route, a bypass to allow the oxygen-rich blood to reach the heart.

Heart valve surgery: This surgery is done to repair or replace diseased heart valves that cause blood to backflow.

Surgery to correct a congenital heart defect: This corrective Open Heart Surgery in Delhi fixes or treats a structural defect in the heart present since birth. Some of the types of paediatric heart surgery are patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) ligation, coarctation of the aorta repair, atrial/ventricular septal defect repair, and tetralogy of fallot repair.     

 

When is open heart surgery performed?

Open heart surgery may be done to treat any of the following conditions:

Aortic disease: Aorta is the largest artery of the body that carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body. It may get damaged or malfunction with diseases like atherosclerosis (plaque build-up), hypertension, genetic disorders like bicuspid aortic valve disease or Marfan syndrome, and connective tissue disorders like Turner syndrome or Ehlers Danlos syndrome. Open heart surgery can help repair and replace the damaged aortic valve.

Coronary artery disease: This disease is the result of the narrowing of the coronary arteries which supply blood to the heart. Open heart surgery can help treat coronary artery disease by creating a bypass for blood to flow.

Arrhythmias: It is a cardiac condition wherein the heart beats abnormally, either too slow too fast, or irregularly due to malfunctioning electrical impulses. Open heart surgery can help the heart properly beat by implanting medical devices like pacemakers.  

Heart valve disease: Valves allow the blood to flow in a forward direction between the upper and lower heart chambers and even out of the heart. There are two ways by which the heart valve can get diseased: Stenosis (stiffening or thickening of the flaps) and regurgitation (leaky valve or valve insufficiency). Open heart valve surgery can be performed to repair or replace any diseased valve.

Heart failure: It is a condition when the heart fails to pump properly to allow enough blood flow to meet the individual body's needs. Many cardiac conditions can end up with heart failure. These include cardiac amyloidosis, cardiac arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy, congenital heart disease, cancer-related heart disease, constrictive pericarditis, heart valve disease, and coronary artery disease. Open heart surgery can be done to transplant a donor's heart in place of a damaged heart.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: In this cardiac condition, the walls of the left ventricle of the heart become thick and stiff and the blood supply gets obstructed. It can lead to atrial fibrillation, stroke, heart failure, and ventricular arrhythmias that can cause cardiac arrest. Septal myectomy is a kind of open-heart surgery that can treat this heart condition.

 

How is open heart surgery performed?

In general, open-heart surgery is performed by following these basic steps:

1. The patient is provided with general anaesthesia so that they remain unconscious and pain-free during the surgery.
2. Next, the surgeon makes an 8 to 10-inch long cut in the chest. Through the cut, the surgeon passes all or a portion of the patient’s breastbone to get access to the heart.
3. Once the heart is exposed, the patient’s heart may be connected to a heart-lung bypass machine.
4. Then, the surgeon addresses the specific issues of the heart like repairing or replacing the valve/artery, implanting a medical device, creating a bypass, or transplanting the donor heart.
5. After the needful is done, the surgeon closes the breastbone with wire and leaves the wire inside.
6. Lastly, the original cut is stitched up and the heart is covered with sterile bandages.

 

Are there any risks of having open heart surgery?

Just like any other surgery, open heart surgery also poses some risks. The potential risks include:

• Heart attack or stroke
• Blood clot
• Huge loss of blood
• Irregular heartbeat
• Kidney or lung failure
• Chest pain and low-grade fever
• Fuzziness or memory loss
• Troubled breathing
• Pneumonia
• Chest wound infection (mostly in diabetics, obese people, or those who have undergone CABG surgery)
• The risk is increased when a heart-lung bypass machine is used.

 

What at-home care do I need to recover from my open heart surgery?

As per Heart Surgery Doctor in Delhi, After coming back home following your heart surgery, you must do the following:

 

• Take proper care of your incision site and regularly inspect it for any signs of infection.
• Manage your pain or discomfort with prescribed painkillers.
• Avoid intake of caffeine, tobacco, narcotics, and alcohol as these can impair the natural healing process.
• Take adequate sleep, eat heart-healthy food, and drink plenty of water.

 

When is open heart surgery preferred over minimally invasive heart surgery?

In recent times, minimally invasive heart surgeries, also known as the keyhole approach, have taken over the traditional open-heart surgery. That’s because the keyhole approach offers many benefits like no broken breast bone, no risk of bone infection, minimal pain, short recovery, minimal downtime, and small scarring. However, not every heart patient can go for the keyhole approach.

The factors that decide which approach to go ahead with include the patient’s heart condition, general health, age, improved patient outcomes, and other pertinent considerations. Certain patients’ condition or the complexity of the case necessitates the surgeon to perform open heart surgery.

 

Consult the Best Heart Surgeon!

Dr. Sujay Shad, a renowned cardiologist and heart surgeon for Open Heart Surgery in Delhi at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. He is a skilled heart surgeon who has successfully conducted many life-saving heart surgeries.

 

Reach out for a consultation today to learn more!

What is Cardiac Arrest? Things You Must Be Aware Of?

Every year in the United States, more than 350,000 people experience a sudden cardiac arrest. Cardiac arrest is when the heart activity suddenly and unexpectedly halts. When someone experiences a sudden cardiac arrest, they suddenly collapse, experience difficulty in breathing, and struggle to breathe or stop breathing. They also lose their consciousness and have no pulse at all. Nine out of 10 individuals who often experience a cardiac arrest outside the hospital die within minutes. Every minute of delay could lead to a patient’s chances of survival by 7-10 percent. Therefore, that is why it is essential to know some important things about sudden cardiac arrest to help with timely treatment and minimize the risks. 

In this blog post, we will throw light on what a cardiac arrest is and what are some of the important things one must be aware of. To create this post, the insights have been taken from Dr. Sujay Shad, who is considered the best cardiac surgeon in India and practices at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. Let’s start by discussing what cardiac arrest is. 

What is a Cardiac Arrest? 

When the heart stops pumping blood suddenly, an electrical issue in the heart can lead to a sudden cardiac arrest. Within ten minutes, a sudden cardiac arrest will result in rapid death if it is not appropriately and promptly treated. The signs of a cardiac arrest are almost immediate. These include no breathing, loss of consciousness, no pulse, and sudden collapse. Other signs and symptoms that might occur before a sudden cardiac arrest include chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness, vomiting, dizziness, etc. It requires urgent treatment to make sure the blood flow around the body is restored, and the heart starts beating again. 

Following are Some of the Important Facts About Cardiac Arrests 

1. A Sudden Cardiac Arrest is Different From a Heart Attack

Many individuals believe that heart attacks and cardiac arrest are the same thing. However, they are two completely different heart conditions. A heart attack refers to a blockage in the coronary arteries, which disrupts the blood flow. A sudden cardiac arrest is an electrical issue, instead of obstruction in its blood supply, in which the heart suddenly collapses, and the pulse completely stops. It is essential to understand the difference between the two so that the right treatment is initiated. 

2. The Lifestyle Determines the Risk of Sudden Cardiac Arrest 

Not many individuals are aware that the risk factors of sudden cardiac arrest develop due to a sedentary lifestyle. The risk factors for sudden cardiac arrest include misuse of alcohol, increased cholesterol, smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and obesity. It is therefore advised to have a healthy lifestyle and engage in physical activities throughout the day. Maintaining a healthy weight and routinely checking blood, sugar, and cholesterol levels are essential. Simultaneously, it is important to minimize alcohol and tobacco usage as they increase the likelihood of sudden cardiac arrest. 

For more tips on heart health, seek the help of a heart doctor. To do this, one can schedule an appointment with Dr. Sujay Shad, a famous cardiac surgeon in Delhi who practices at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.

3. Family History

An individual who has a family history of heart ailments is often at a high risk of having sudden cardiac arrest. Besides that, if a person has a family history of heart conditions, the risk of sudden cardiac arrest doubles, and one must take extra care. Therefore, one must get into the habit of routine checkups to ensure the problem gets detected at an initial stage. This is because timely intervention plays a vital role in not only minimizing the risk factors but it helps in giving a new lease of life to the patient.

5. The Emergency Response Time for a Cardiac Arrest is Around 6-12 Minutes

When it comes to sudden cardiac arrest, a minute is fine, but they could simply die within the next minute. Although it is vital to call an emergency number, an average response tends to be around 6-12 minutes. Hence, everyone must be trained in CPR.

6. Fainting Can Be Fatal

Fainting is the first sign of a sudden cardiac arrest, which is often ignored by a majority of individuals. In case of a sudden cardiac arrest, the sudden loss of consciousness often happens when the heart stops beating abruptly. Before fainting, many people often experience a racing heart or dizziness. Prior to a cardiac arrest, some people could also experience pain in the chest, shortness of breath, and vomiting. Therefore, it is best not to ignore loss of consciousness and seek the help of a cardiac surgeon as soon as possible.

Conclusion

We hope through this post, you have understood what a cardiac arrest is and what are the vital things you should be aware of about it. If someone faces sudden loss of consciousness or dizziness, they should not ignore them and seek the help of a cardiac doctor right away.

One can consult Dr. Sujay Shad, a leading heart surgery specialist in Delhi at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital who specializes in performing a wide range of heart procedures such as heart transplants, HOCM, bypass surgery, and many more at the hospital.

To learn more about these procedures or to know how much heart surgery cost in Delhi, pay a visit to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital today.

Heart Valve Disease: Causes and Symptoms

Heart valve disease is when one or more heart valves do not work correctly. The valves are responsible for keeping blood flow moving forward in one direction. They also prevent the backward flow of blood as it leaves each heart chamber. The four heart chambers include two upper chambers (atria) and two lower chambers (ventricles). Additionally, the four valves are tricuspid, pulmonary, mitral, and aortic valves. We get many questions on what heart valve disease is, their causes and their signs and symptoms. We have attempted to cover all this in this post. 

To provide readers with a better understanding of heart valve disease, we have drafted this blog by taking references from famous heart specialists, like Dr. Sujay Shad. He is renowned for performing the best heart valve surgery in Delhi at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. By reading the complete blog, one will fully understand the symptoms and causes of heart valve disease in detail. So, let’s begin discussing. 

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Heart Valve Disease? 

Heart valve disease may not show symptoms sometimes. The following are some common symptoms experienced by individuals with heart valve disease. However, every individual varies and may experience different symptoms. The signs can vary depending on the type of heart valve disease and may include:

• Shortness of breath
• Pain in chest
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Swelling
• Migraine headache
• Low or high blood pressure depending on which valve disease is present
• Pain in the abdomen due to enlarged liver

If one is experiencing the above symptoms, it might indicate a heart valve disease. For this, individuals must seek medical attention right away. One can consult the expert heart doctor in Delhi, Dr. Sujay Shad, at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. The adept heart doctor will perform several tests to confirm the diagnosis. 

What Causes Heart Valve Disease? 

The following are the causes of heart valve disease: 

• Changes in heart valve structure due to aging 
• Heart attack or coronary artery disease 
• Infection in heart valve 
• Birth defects 
• A sexually transmitted infection 
• An inherited connective tissue disorder which weakens the heart valve tissues
• Medicines 
• Radiation therapy aimed at the chest wall which treats lymphoma
• Having a history of rheumatic fever 

Note: One must understand that heart valve disease can occur due to two main types of problems including: 

Leakage of Valve (Regurgitation): When the valve does not complete properly, it causes the blood to flow backwards through the valve. This reduces the blood flow and leads to volume overload in the heart. 

Narrowing of the Valves: When the opening of the valves becomes narrowed, it limits the blood flow out of the ventricles or atria. This way, the heart is forced to pump blood with more force to move blood through the narrowed valve. 

How is Heart Valve Disease Treated? 

The treatments for heart valve disease include the following: 

1. Medicines: Medicines can help ease heart valve disease symptoms but are not a permanent cure. Digoxin, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers are all beneficial in regulating heart rate and stopping unstable cardiac rhythms. Vasodilators and diuretics are two other medications that can lower blood pressure. The medicines might not work if one has a narrowed heart valve. If the valve does not open, one might require valvuloplasty or transcatheter replacement surgery.

2. Surgery: Surgery is needed to replace or repair the damaged valve. In most situations, own tissues are used. When the heart valves are damaged severely, they must be replaced with new ones. The replaced valves include tissue (biologic) valves, animal valves, or donated human valves.

3. Transcatheter Procedure: These are minimally invasive procedures. During this procedure, the heart doctor replaces the heart valves. It is done through an artery (for the aortic valve) or a vein (for the tricuspid, pulmonary, or mitral valve).

4. Heart Valve Repair: This repair is performed for the mitral valve. A clip can be used to prevent blood from leaking through the mitral valve.

5. Balloon Valvuloplasty: During this procedure, a hollow tube known as a catheter is put in a blood vessel and the heart. A deflated balloon at the catheter's tip is placed into the heart valve. The balloon is inserted, inflated to expand the valve, and then removed. The procedure is only used for treating stenotic (narrowed) valves.

6. TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement): A new aortic valve is placed inside the previous valve to perform this procedure. This can be done using catheters, wires or balloons, which are inserted in the arteries of the groin. The process can also help replace heart valves that leak or become narrow over time.

Conclusion 

Through this blog, we hope you understand heart valve disease, its symptoms, causes and effective treatment. If you experience any of the above-mentioned symptoms, seek medical attention immediately. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Sujay Shad, a famous heart specialist, at the renowned hospital Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. 

He also performs a range of other heart procedures at the hospital, such as coronary bypass surgery, aortic surgery, heart transplants, bypass surgery and many more. Dr. Sujay Shad is also widely recognized as the best bypass surgeon in Delhi. Consult the expert heart doctor, Dr. Sujay Shad, for more details on these procedures at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. 

Heart surgery is a procedure used to treat heart issues. One way that surgeons can access the heart is through open-heart surgery. One of the most important and life-saving surgeries done today for a variety of heart conditions is open-heart surgery. The chest wall is opened during open-heart surgery to allow the surgeon easier access to the heart. To access the heart, surgeons cut through the sternum (breastbone) and spread the ribs. This procedure effectively lowers the risk of sudden death, heart rhythm abnormalities, strokes, and heart injuries.

In this blog, we will discuss in detail open heart surgery, including when it is needed, types of open heart surgery, ways to perform it, the procedure, and the recovery process. To make this post enriching, we have gathered insights from Dr. Sujay Shad, a well known heart surgery specialist in Delhi. Let’s continue reading to learn.

When Does One Need Open Heart Surgery?

Patients with coronary artery disease, which increases the risk of a heart attack, are usually advised to have open heart surgery. But there are other circumstances as well, such as the following, in which heart surgery is necessary:

• Issues with the valves

• Complications with the heart's main artery

• Replacing a damaged heart with a donor heart.

• Hole in the heart

• Aortic surgery

Most Common Types of Open-Heart Surgery

There are various kinds of open heart surgeries, depending on the type of heart disease. A few common ones are as follows:

1. Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

It is the most popular kind of heart surgery, done to give the heart alternative blood supply routes. The arms, legs, or chest are typically used to remove the healthy artery.

2. Heart Valve Repair or Replacement

The purpose of the surgery is to replace the malfunctioning valve with a metallic or biological valve or to repair it.

3. Heart Transplant

The procedure aims to treat advanced heart failure by replacing the damaged heart with a healthy one from a deceased donor.

Ways to Perform Open-heart Surgery

There are two methods for doing open cardiac surgery: 

1. On-pump: The heart and lungs are momentarily replaced by a heart-lung bypass machine that is connected to the heart. It transfers blood away from the heart and throughout the body. Then the surgeon performs surgery on a non-beating, non-circulating heart. Following surgery, the device is disconnected by the surgeon, allowing the heart to begin beating again.

2. Off-pump: Off-pump bypass surgery is performed on a heart that is still beating naturally. This method is limited to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedures, also known as bypass surgeries. 

Procedure of Open-Heart Surgery

Heart surgery is a complicated procedure. A surgical procedure could take up to six hours. It involve the following steps:

1. General anesthesia is administered to the patient. This guarantees that they will be pain-free and asleep during the entire procedure.

2. A cut of eight to ten inches is made in the chest by the surgeon.

3. To access the heart, the surgeon makes a full or partial incision through the patient's breastbone.

4. The patient might be hooked up to a heart-lung bypass machine once the heart is visible. To enable the surgeon to perform surgery, the device drains blood from the heart.

5. The surgeon uses a healthy vein or artery to create a new path around the clogged artery.

6. The initial incision is stitched.

7. In certain high-risk cases, such as those involving multiple surgeries or elderly patients, sternal plating may be performed. Sternal plating is the process by which tiny titanium plates are used to reassemble the breastbone following surgery.

How Long Does Recovery Take Following Open Heart Surgery?

The type of surgery, any complications, and preoperative health all affect how long it takes to recover from surgery. Following an open heart procedure, recovery can take six to twelve weeks, or even longer in some cases.

1. Incision Management

The proper care of an incision is important. Wash hands both before and after touching the area of the incision, and keep it warm and dry. One can take a shower if their incision is healing properly and there is not any drainage. Warm, not hot, water should be used for no more than ten minutes during the shower. Make sure the water does not hit the incision site directly.

2. Pain Management

In addition, pain control is important because it can speed up healing and lower the risk of sequelae like blood clots or pneumonia. One might experience pain from chest tubes, incision sites, muscles, or the throat. Most likely, the doctor will write a prescription for painkillers that one can take at home. Some medical professionals advise taking the painkiller before going to bed and before engaging in any physical activity.

3. Get Adequate Rest

Following open heart surgery, some patients have difficulty sleeping, but it is needed to get as much rest as one can. Following open heart surgery, there are some patients who do experience anxiety or sadness. Managing these effects can be aided by a therapist or psychologist.

Conclusion

Open heart surgery improves a patient's general health in addition to treating life-threatening conditions. It may take a while to recover. Apart from adhering to the doctor's recommended heart-healthy diet and lifestyle, one will also need to take antirejection medications on a daily basis. These steps might facilitate healing. If one is looking for open heart surgery, they may consult Dr. Sujay Shad, a leading heart surgeon performing open heart surgery in Delhi, at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. The expert surgeon has almost three decades of experience in performing heart surgeries. To learn more, visit Sir Ganga Ram Hospital now!