Bypass surgery: 5 important things to keep in mind

Posted by joshmeth on April 12th, 2017

Heart is the most significant part of our body which is vitally responsible for almost everything that gives life to your body. But, it can malfunction anytime in life, if not taken care of. Heart disease is the No.1 cause of men and women all over the world; it has claimed more lives than all form of cancers. Well, there are conditions when your heart is not able to get sufficient blood flow, because of the narrowing or blockage of arteries around heart. And if there are multiple such blocks, then you are advised by the doctors to undergo bypass surgery, which is the only treatment option. Bypass surgery is the process when a new route is made for the blood to reach the heart without cutting or clearing the blocked artery. Also, it is believed that heart failure patients have a better chance of surviving for almost 10 years, if they get bypass surgery.

If you have been advised to undergo bypass surgery, consult a doctor at the best heart hospital in Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai or a renowned hospital in any of the metropolitan cities. Hence, here are a few important things you need to know about bypass surgery in Delhi:

1- Well known as Coronary artery bypass graft, it usually takes around 8 hours for the whole surgery to be done. While surgery, the chest bone, also known as sternum, is cut and the surgeon exposes the heart. Thus, a new way is made for the blood to flow across the blockage. 

2- Veins of the leg were earlier used as grafts for bypass surgery. But, due to its tendency to get blocked in seven to eight years, the doctors have started using arteries rather than veins for the overall treatment process. Now, internal mammary arteries are the two arteries present on each side of the breast and the artery of forearm is used for bypass surgery. This process is also known Total Arterial Revascularization, which ensures no blockage for over 20-25 years. 

3- When the breastbone is stitched, the patient is kept on ventilator and the whole surgery takes almost six to eight hours. Therefore, the ventilator is removed when the patient starts breathing on his own; this almost takes around six to eight hours after surgery. 

4- The patient need to stay in ICU for around two to four days and almost 4-5 days in the ward, after the surgery. During this period, the patient will undergo breathing exercises, mobilization and intensive physiotherapy.

5- The patient has to visit the doctor for stich removal after 14 days of the surgery.

6- However, the patients are fully mobile and get back to normal life in just four to six weeks. It takes around three to six months for the healing to take place. 

7- Moreover, during first to four weeks after surgery, patients are advised not to perform heavy exercises and not to lift heavy weight.

With a competent and advanced team of heart surgeons, there are many renowned hospitals, such as Apollo hospitals that provides effective bypass surgery in Delhi, Mumbai and other metropolitan cities; it is one of the best heart hospitals in India.