Open Heart
Surgery
An open
heart surgery is usually for fixing the problems in the heart of an
individual.
When
talking about traditional open heart surgery, an incision is made, by
the surgeon, in the center of the patient's chest, and then the
breastbone is spread apart so that the surgeon can gain access to the
heart. Tiny drainage tubes will be placed beneath the patient's
breast bone in order to drain fluid from around the heart.
A chest tube
will be placed beneath the patient's rib cage so that fluid may be
drained from the chest cavity.
When the heart is stopped the patient is put on a heart-lung machine so
that the surgeon is able
to work on the heart while it does not beat. Then it is connected to
various other machines so that the vital signs can be monitored and
other functions can be performed.
After the surgery has been
completed, the heart is again restarted. The operation must be over in
less than six hours because it is not safe for the body to stay on the
heart-lung machine for a longer time period.
The risks
No
matter what type of surgery a person is going to have, there are always
risks involved. Risks will vary depending upon what type of procedure
is being done. Risks may be higher if the heart of the patient is
stopped
and has to be put on the cardiopulmonary bypass machine. Every
person's risk of complications will vary depending upon the current
health status, type of procedure being done, age, level of risk and
gender. The risks increase when someone having a heart surgery is
older and mainly when they have had the procedure done before. The surgery
is even more complicated when the person has additional serious
conditions.
Embrace
a healthy changeA different lifestyle may improve your health so
much that you
may not have to undergo the procedure. Speak to a nutritionist or a hospital dietitian so that you
may learn how to strengthen your whole system with the right kinds of
foods. Ask your doctor if there are any other alternatives on the
natural side that can help the heart pump more
efficiently.
One thing that anybody should remember is that we must be
in charge of our own health. Nowadays, there are certain
heart conditions that are
being treated with minimally invasive surgery and not open heart
surgery.
We must do extensive research and consult
with diverse doctors before even
having any operation, especially when considering an heart surgery.
Top
Return from Open Heart Surgery to Aortic
Valve Surgery Procedure
Back
to How to Lower Blood Pressure Fast
