Should I be worried about open-heart surgery?

Open-heart surgery is a major surgical procedure. Like all surgeries, there are risks. The risk of complications is greater if you have health problems like diabetes or obesity. Lung conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) also raise your risk.

How serious is open-heart surgery?

Open heart surgery is a major operation that requires close monitoring and immediate post-operative support. It is normal for a person to remain in the intensive care unit (ICU) for a couple of days after the procedure to receive further care.

What is the average life after open-heart surgery?

After a heart bypass, most people perform quite well and live for at least 15 years before needing another surgery, which is usually a stent insertion.

Can open-heart surgery be avoided?

The most important is that the need for bypass surgery arises as the result of a preventable condition, namely, coronary artery disease. If you take care of yourself, eat well, exercise, and take heart-healthy supplements, the chances are good that you may be able to avoid a bypass.

What percentage of open-heart surgery is successful?

Coronary bypass operations are performed half a million times a year with an overall success rate of almost 98 percent.

WATCH Triple Bypass Open Heart Surgery

Who is high risk for open-heart surgery?

Risks associated with heart surgery include infection, irregular heartbeat, and bleeding—as well as such serious problems as heart attack and stroke. Older people, women, and those with serious diseases, such as diabetes or lung disease, are at higher risk for complications.

How many hours is open-heart surgery?

Open heart surgery typically takes three to five hours. During the procedure, your surgeon will make an incision down the middle of your breastbone, about 7 to 8 inches long.

What are alternatives to open heart surgery?

Minimally invasive heart surgery involves making small incisions in the right side of the chest to reach the heart between the ribs, rather than cutting through the breastbone, as is done in open-heart surgery. Minimally invasive heart surgery can be done to treat a variety of heart conditions.

How painful is open heart surgery?

Generally, open heart surgery is not a painful experience. One notable exception is the removal of the drainage tubes, which typically occurs on post-operative day one. It may feel a bit odd and sometimes can be a brief source of pain. It will feel uncomfortable when you cough, laugh or sneeze.

Can you live a long life after open heart surgery?

While the answer to this question will be different for every person, there is good news in general: Patients undergoing CABG can and often do live long, healthy lives afterward.

Does a person change after open heart surgery?

Emotional changes after heart surgery are not uncommon, and neither are periods of irritability and fatigue. Sometimes, changes in mood can be caused by medication for surgery's aftermath, and not the surgery itself. If mood changes persist, the first step is to speak to the doctor(s) who performed the procedure.

Can you go back to normal after open heart surgery?

Once you return home after heart surgery, getting back to a normal routine will take time because your body systems have slowed as result of surgery, medications and less activity. Healing time will take at least two to three months.

How long are you in ICU after open heart surgery?

It may be as short as 3 to 4 days. If you have complications, you may stay in the hospital several weeks or longer.

How long are you hospitalized for open-heart surgery?

Open-heart surgeries usually require a hospital stay of four to five days. Once you're released from the hospital, it usually takes six to eight weeks for your breastbone and chest muscles to heal as you return, gradually, to a normal daily routine.

What is most common complication after open-heart surgery?

Bleeding. The most common complication after open heart surgery is bleeding from the area of the incision or surgery site. During the surgery itself as well as recovery, you will be closely monitored and your progress tracked.

Do they break your ribs for open-heart surgery?

Your surgeon will make a 6- to 8-inch incision down the center of your chest wall. Then, they will cut your breastbone and open your rib cage to reach your heart. During the surgery, you'll receive medicine to thin your blood and keep it from clotting.

How do I cope with my husband after heart surgery?

Can you feel open-heart surgery?

You will feel no pain during the procedure and will not remember it. Heart surgery usually takes three to six hours, depending on how complex the operation is. For traditional open-heart surgery: A breathing tube will be placed in your lungs through your throat.

Is open-heart surgery necessary?

You may need open-heart surgery if you have one of these heart conditions: Arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation. Congenital heart defects, such as atrial septal defect (hole in the heart) or hypoplastic left heart syndrome (underdeveloped heart structures). Coronary artery disease.

Who is not a candidate for heart bypass surgery?

You may not be a good candidate if you have a: Pre-existing condition including an aneurysm, heart valve disease, or blood disease. Serious physical disability including an inability to care for yourself. Severe disease of another organ, such as the lungs or kidneys.

What is the difference between heart surgery and open-heart surgery?

Heart surgery is any surgery done on the heart muscle, valves, arteries, or the aorta and other large arteries connected to the heart. The term "open heart surgery" means that you are connected to a heart-lung bypass machine, or bypass pump during surgery. Your heart is stopped while you are connected to this machine.

Why do they give you a pillow after heart surgery?

When a patient holds the heart pillow tightly against his or her chest, the pillow provides an extra layer of pressure to counteract any jolting from a cough, sneeze or movement. It helps reduce pain because it holds the incision and sensitive skin surrounding the incision firmly in place.

What is the fastest way to recover from open heart surgery?

Are you awake for open heart surgery?

Anesthesia will be given before and throughout the operation, so you are asleep the entire time.

What is the most serious heart surgery?

Open heart procedures, which represent a major portion of our volume, require cardiopulmonary bypass (heart-lung bypass machine) and are usually the most complicated and complex procedures.