Heart-related ailments have seen a significant rise over the past few years. Stress, poor dietary choices, and a sedentary lifestyle have been primarily responsible for this dramatic increase in heart diseases. Surgery may be the only option in many of these cases to save patients and gift them a new lease of life.
Cardiac surgery or heart surgery is a specialized surgical treatment that involves your heart and its blood vessels. Any disorder that affects the normal functioning of the heart or blood vessels may require surgery to treat patients.
A surgery can save lives, prevent future health complications, and significantly enhance the quality of life of heart patients. They feel more hale and hearty post-cardiac surgery. Let’s explore further and understand the incredible benefits of cardiac surgery.
Explore the 10 Remarkable Benefits Of Cardiac Surgery
1. Enhanced Life Expectancy
The results can vary among heart patients. However, the good news is that the life expectancy after cardiac surgery shows a significant improvement in general. Those who make it through the first couple of months of recovery have a survival rate equivalent to the normal populace.
Patients who have a successful heart bypass surgery can enjoy long and healthy lives later. They perform quite well and survive for at least the next 15 years without the need for another surgery. In fact, a study by the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Erasmus University, Netherlands has reported that the estimated life expectancy after coronary artery bypass was 18 years.
2. Improved Quality of Life
A heart bypass surgery helps to create a new path for blood to flow around a blocked artery. This improves blood flow to the heart and relieves debilitating symptoms like chest pain and shortness of breath. The surgery can significantly reduce the risk of death due to heart disease.
It takes around 2-3 months for patients to recover from cardiac surgery and resume their normal activities. Life after cardiac surgery can be much better with healthy food, regular exercise, good sleep, and other lifestyle changes.
3. Increased Physical Activity
With successful heart surgery and good recovery, patients can engage in almost all the activities as before. They may even find these activities easier and more enjoyable to perform due to positive lifestyle changes. However, it is advisable that patients engage in physical activities only after consulting their doctors.
People often wonder if it is safe to exercise or indulge in other physical activities after undergoing heart surgery. On the contrary, being active can strengthen your heart and speed up your recovery. Regular exercise lowers blood pressure, helps to manage body weight, improves heart function, and reduces the risk of heart disease.
4. Decreased Risk of Future Heart Issues
One of the major benefits of cardiac surgery is that it reduces the risk of future heart attacks, strokes, and other complications. However, the effectiveness of cardiac surgery essentially depends on how patients manage their blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels. It’s also necessary to continue with the medications as prescribed. The importance of sleep for heart health cannot be undermined.
A suitable cardiac rehabilitation program can be designed for patients to facilitate quick recovery and prevent heart-related ailments later. The program includes exercise training, diet counseling, heart care education, and emotional support.
5. Enhanced Heart Function
Coronary artery bypass surgery improves the supply of oxygen and blood flow to the heart. Repair or replacement of heart valves also improves blood flow. Surgical implantation of medical devices can control the heartbeat and support heart function.
It is also possible to replace a damaged heart with a healthy one from a donor. Heart surgery can rectify congenital heart disease to give a new lease of life to patients who are born with heart disorders.
Remember, the heart supplies oxygen to different organs and removes toxins. A strong and well-functioning heart is hence integral to your overall health.
6. Freedom from Ongoing Medications
Life after cardiac surgery witnesses a marked improvement as it reduces or even eliminates the dependency on lifelong medications. Cardiac surgery can be used to treat a wide range of heart ailments. It addresses the root cause of the problem and offers relief from consuming pills for the rest of your life. Choose the right cardiac surgeon in Mumbai to take the first step toward a speedy recovery.
Successful heart surgery provides immense comfort and convenience to patients as they no longer depend on medicines to lead a normal life. The decision to reduce or eliminate expensive medication also enables huge cost savings for patients who cannot afford to spend a large sum every month.
7. Emotional and Psychological Well-being
Heart disease is a critical illness that can be devastating to the patient. The fragile health, ensuing medical treatment, arranging finances, and family concerns take a huge toll on the patient’s mental health. This may eventually lead to heightened levels of anxiety & depression. The possibility of a future heart attack often lingers in the minds of many patients.
A successful cardiac surgery alleviates most of these concerns. The patients experience a sense of great relief and optimism as they embark on the path of recovery.
8. Return to Normal Daily Activities
How successful is cardiac surgery often depends on how quickly you can resume your routine activities. The surgery helps to improve or restore the heart’s function. It enables patients to get back to their normal life with renewed zeal and excitement. In fact, many patients emerge stronger after a health crisis as they now begin to cherish the beauty and value of life.
A successful heart surgery prevents further deterioration of this vital organ. A strong and healthy heart helps patients perform their daily tasks without limitations or restrictions.
9. Financial Benefits
The benefits of cardiac surgery are not just limited to health. There are several financial benefits to patients and their families too. Post-cardiac surgery, a patient requires fewer medications, hospital stays, and OPD visits. Patients can eventually stop consuming expensive medicines. There is a lower risk of severe health complications arising in the future.
Successful heart surgery extends the life expectancy of patients. It also enhances their productivity due to better health and fitness levels. This also makes it cheaper and easier to obtain health insurance. The long-term benefits of heart surgery far outweigh its cost and patients end up saving a lot in the long run.
10. Quality Time with Loved Ones
Cardiac surgery has a high success rate owing to the advancements in medical science & technology. The open heart surgery success rate is extremely good in India with a survival rate of around 97% for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Patients notice a remarkable improvement in their energy and stamina levels after the surgery.
Successful heart surgery also paves the way for better emotional wellness and several lifestyle improvements. These outcomes enrich a patient’s life who yearns for a good social life and spending quality time with loved ones.
Conclusion
Cardiac surgery is a life-saving medical intervention with several benefits. Post-cardiac surgery, the patients experience a far better quality of life, higher life expectancy, improved heart function, lower risk of heart attacks, and reduced health complications. Beyond health, the patients save a lot and find themselves in a far better mental space when they are fit & healthy.
There is little to fear and much to gain here. The innumerable benefits of cardiac surgery provide a great incentive to decide in its favor. Remember, the choice may not be between undergoing surgery or avoiding it. The choice can very well be life or death!
Take charge of your health now. Read our blog on the costs of minimally invasive and open heart surgeries, and Contact Us for a heart-changing experience.