Surgery: depends on the type of procedure and the needs of the individual

To access the heart, the surgeon makes a 6-to-8-inch incision along the middle of the chest. The cut will go through the breastbone.

The medical team might use a heart-lung bypass machine during the surgery. This involves stopping the heart from beating. The bypass machine takes over the heart’s pumping action and removes blood from the heart via tubes. The machine then removes carbon dioxide from the blood, adds oxygen, and returns the blood to the body. This surgery is called “on-pump” surgery.

Sometimes, a surgeon might work “off-pump.” When a bypass machine is not in use, the person’s heart keeps beating. A member of the surgical team uses a device to steady the heart while the surgeon performs the procedure.

There is insufficient evidence to confirm whether on-pump open heart surgery is safer than off-pump surgery. However, according to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), survival rates 1 year after either form of open-heart surgery are similar at about 96–97 percent.

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Post-Operative: Aftercare as standard within our packages

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.

People will often have to stay in ICU after open heart surgery.

After the operation, a breathing tube will remain in place for a period to assist with breathing. A line also stays in the vein to administer pain relief. A person may find themselves attached to a variety of other monitoring equipment.

After leaving ICU, a person will probably stay in the hospital for about a week. Recovery at home after leaving the hospital usually takes between 4 to 6 weeks.

The healthcare team will guide rehabilitation and advise on medications and restrictions on physical activity.

During recovery:

• It is perfectly normal to experience tiredness and some pain.
• Follow the advice of the medical team on wound care, and look out for signs of infection around the chest wound, such as redness or discharge.
• Seek urgent care for any potentially serious symptoms of infection. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, fever, and excessive sweating.

Be patient and take your time. It takes many weeks or months to return to usual levels of activity. Some doctors might offer specialist support for daily activities and other aspects of recovery as part of a specific cardiac rehabilitation program.

Aftercare varies for each individual but might include blood tests, heart scans, and stress tests. A stress test involves monitoring the heart during a treadmill exercise.

Medication might include blood-thinning drugs.

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Further Information:  

Recovery and long-term outlook depend on the overall health of the person and the particular procedure they need.

After recovery from a bypass operation, people should see an improvement in symptoms, such as chest pain and breathlessness.

The surgery also reduces the risk of heart attack. Open heart surgeries are not necessarily a cure, however. Disease in the coronary arteries can still progress even after a bypass.

Open heart surgery can be a daunting prospect for a newly-diagnosed person, but its success rate is high and experienced professionals will make the procedure as comfortable as possible.