How does Bypass Surgery work?
Heart bypass surgery or Coronary artery bypass surgery is the process wherein the blocked arteries which supply blood to the human heart is replaced with the patient’s blood vessel taken from another part of the body. This bypass surgery operation is performed when the coronary arteries are blocked or damaged. The oxygenated blood is supplied to the heart through these coronary arteries. Heart failure risk is high if the blood flow to the heart is blocked and the heart muscle will not be able to function properly. Some of the symptoms of heart blockage are Chest pain known as angina, irregular heartbeat and shortness of breath.
How does it work?
When you get in touch with Best Heart Hospital in India they will remove a blood vessel called a graft taken from another part of your body which could be your chest, arm or leg. Then one end of the aorta, a large artery that comes from your heart and attaches the other end to an artery found below the blockage. A new route is created through the grafting. Depending on the blockage, the surgeon will do one or more bypass during the same surgery.
What happens post-surgery?
You will be moved to ICU after the operation. A tube will be connected to your mouth for breathing. You will not be able to talk and will also feel uncomfortable. Nurses will be there to help you. Once you can breathe on your own, the tube will be removed. Patient will also be connected to a machine that will monitor his vital signs such as your heart rate as well as blood pressure, around the clock. He will have to stay in the ICU for a few days then he will be moved to the hospital room. He will have to stay for about 3 to 5 years and will be discharged from the hospital.
Recovery:
Generally, it takes time to come to normal. You will even feel worse right after the surgery than you were before. This is quite normal as your body needs time to recover. With each day, you will feel better. You will not be fully cured until it will be for two months. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully. For 3 to 8 weeks, you will not be able to drive. During the first few months, you will have to visit your doctor several times to track your progress. In case, your symptoms don’t increase or feeling worse, then it is ideal to get in touch with your doctor.
Risks:
All the surgeries come with some problem or another. Similarly, bypass surgery operation also comes with the following risks:
- Fever
- Infection and bleeding at the incision
- Heart attack
- Pain
- Memory Loss
- Stroke
- Reactions to anesthesia
On recovery, your symptoms on angina will be gone completely or much better. You will be able to be more active and the risk of getting a heart attack will be less. To sum up, the surgery will add years to your life.