3 key aspects to open heart surgery recovery

Having to undergo an open heart surgery is a mentally and physically taxing process as it requires admission to the hospital and intensive care. An open heart surgery is performed to treat a host of structural heart conditions such as mending diseased parts or holes or any other aneurysm in the heart.

From the name itself, a However the procedure is safe and has a very low mortality .

If you are scheduled to undergo an open heart surgery, here’s everything you need to know to prepare for the same. As the name suggests, an open heart surgery means the surgeon will cut open the chest to access the heart. The surgery can be formed to treat the damaged muscles, valves or arteries of the heart. The most common type of where II the surgeon will bypass a  blocked artery by attaching a healthy one.

Why is open heart surgery performed?

An open heart surgery means the treatment requires the surgeon to get proper access to your heart or a part of it.

Arteries are blood vessels that transport oxygen-rich blood from the heart to different parts of the body. A coronary artery is one that pumps oxygen-rich blood to the muscles of the heart itself. when fat and cholesterol start depositing along the walls of the coronary artery, plaque starts building up. Eventually the plaque becomes hard and obstructs the flow of blood. Blockages in the artery can eventually lead to cardiac arrest or heart attacks.

Your cardiologist may suggest a bypass surgery over an angioplasty depending on the severity of the blockage in your heart. The primary objective of the surgery is to take a healthy blood vessel from a suitablepart of the body and attach it to the diseased artery by circumventing the blockage.

Open heart surgery may also be performed to treat a host of other heart ailments. For example if a problem is diagnosed with the heart valves, it may need repair or replacement. To access the heart valves, the surgeon may have to perform an open heart surgery. Meril Life Sciences has pioneered in the field of valve replacement with its Miltonia Bi-Leaflet Mechanical Heart Valve.

What does open heart surgery recovery entail?

Open heart surgery is an intensive operation. It may require you to be admitted in a hospital for a week or more after the surgery.

Usually going through open heart surgery means you will be placed in an Intensive Care Unit immediately after the surgery. Your vitals will be regularly monitored by medical professionals. Thereafter you will be moved to the general ward for the next week or so.

In case of open heart surgery recovery of the patient has to be monitored regularly. There are three key aspects to open heart surgery recovery.

The first and most important aspect of recovery is caring for the incision from the surgery. Keeping the area of the incision clean at all times is paramount to prevent any infection. You must maintain the area of the incision dry at all times and be careful while taking showers. Be on the lookout for any signs of infection such as swelling, redness or discharge from the incision. Reach out to your doctor if you notice any signs of infection.

Open heart surgery can be painful especially in the postoperative phase. It is natural to experience pain in the throat or in the chest after an open heart surgery. Your doctor may prescribe pain medication  to make it easier for you to sail through this difficult time.

Some lifestyle adjustments  are also required for open heart surgery recovery. The most important part is to give your body enough rest to recuperate. Your doctor may also prescribe certain dietary changes after the surgery which may be temporary.

Conclusion

Cardiovascular diseases can be life threatening if not treated in time. If you have been diagnosed with a serious heart condition that requires an open heart surgery, it is advisable to consult with the doctor on the surgery timeline and plan. Timely intervention can prevent cardiac arrest in the future.

That said, an open heart surgery is a major life event that can improve the health of your heart. Discuss your concerns about the surgery with your doctor at length. Seek guidance on how to prepare for the surgery. Make an exhaustive plan for or pre and post-operative care that you will require. Get your family members involved in the process. We wish you a speedy recovery.

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