Each year, millions of people in the United States have some type of heart surgery. While these procedures are common, there are still many misconceptions about what they are and how they work.
As we mark American Heart Month this February, take a few minutes to get the facts about heart surgery, including what to expect if you or a loved one need a procedure.
Myth 1: Heart Surgery is Extremely Dangerous
Did you ever watch Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman? If you did, you know that most medical procedures in the past were inherently dangerous. Very little was known about the body and how to treat many health issues.
Even after surgery became more mainstream, heart surgery was still considered dangerous. After all, the heart is responsible for pumping blood to the rest of the body, so if it’s impaired, the rest of the body is affected, too.
These days, innovations in technique and technology have made cardiac surgery incredibly safe. While there are risks with any type of surgical procedure, heart surgeries generally have very high success rates. For example, bypass surgery is the most common heart operation and has a greater than 98% chance of success, overall. Most importantly, these operations often prolong life or improve the quality of life.
Delaying surgery when it is needed can lead to worse outcomes, so seeking care and treatment early is key to these good results.
Myth 2: The Heart is Removed During Surgery
While it might seem like taking the heart out of the body would allow surgeons to have better access, they actually perform heart surgery inside the chest cavity. The only heart surgery that requires removing the heart is a heart transplant.
During other procedures, surgeons use intricate techniques to access the heart and perform surgical maneuvers inside the body. Take coronary artery bypass grafting, for example—during the CABG procedure, the sternum (i.e. breastbone) is opened, and the ribs are spread to give access to the heart. Once the procedure is complete, the sternum is brought back together and will heal on its own.
During some procedures, a heart-lung bypass machine is used to perform the functions of the heart and lungs as surgery takes place. This allows the heart to be left in place in the chest as the machine performs the work. One common but incorrect term is the phrase “cracking the chest” or “cracking the ribs.” The truth is that the breastbone is divided in a controlled manner rather than “cracked,” and no ribs are broken.
Myth 3: Heart Surgery is Only for the Elderly
While many heart health issues are more common among older adults, they can affect people of all ages. This means younger people, including children may require heart surgery.
That’s the case when children have congenital heart defects that require repair early in life or as they grow and develop.
Myth 4: Recovery from Heart Surgery Takes Many Months
When you think about heart surgery, you might ask how long it takes to recovery. For uncomplicated operations, patients may be in the hospital as few as 4-7 days. Full recovery from a straightforward heart operation generally takes 6-8 weeks in an otherwise healthy person. You may drive starting at 4-8 weeks (depending on your surgeon’s preference) and return to work 6-8 weeks depending on how much physical labor is required.
The recovery period depends on your physical fitness beforehand. Many people may be weakened by the heart disease itself, from the presenting condition such as a heart attack or from other conditions (such as a prior stroke or lung disease). In these cases, a longer recovery may be due to those underlying conditions rather than the heart surgery itself.
Finally, sometimes complications during the hospital stay can lead to longer recovery. Talking to the surgeon beforehand about the risks of surgery and the expected recovery period should be a part of the counseling. When you’re recovering after heart surgery of any kind, your surgeon may recommend cardiac rehabilitation. This specialized rehab can play a key role in your recovery, helping you safely resume physical activity and learn how to protect your heart in the future. Participating in cardiac rehab improves outcomes and can help you recover faster.
Myth 5: You Can't Live a Normal Life After Heart Surgery
Heart surgery can actually be your ticket back to a normal life in many cases. When you’re affected by a heart health issue, such as an arrhythmia or coronary heart disease, you may find yourself easily fatigued during daily life.
After heart surgery and recovery, most patients experience renewed quality of life, able to resume many of the activities they enjoyed before. While every person’s situation is different, that can even include resuming strenuous physical activity for athletes.
Myth 6: There is only one way to do heart surgery
With technology and innovation, there are many approaches to heart surgery, from open chest to smaller incisions between the ribs.
The approach your surgeon chooses is based on the heart problem, the operation needed, the anatomy and most of all, the safety of the procedure to accomplish what is needed to best treat your heart condition.
Myth 7: Heart Surgery Fixes the Problem Permanently
Heart surgery isn’t a “set-it-and-forget-it” proposition. If you need heart surgery to correct a heart health issue, consider it the beginning of your journey. After surgery, you’ll need to take steps to protect your heart health in the future from the processes that led to the original heart issue.
Depending on your type of heart condition, your journey may include having regular follow-up visits with a cardiologist or an electrophysiologist to guide your care. You may also need to continue taking medications after surgery, such as drugs to control your blood pressure, cholesterol or heart rate.
Your care team can also advise you about how to take care of your heart. Practicing healthy lifestyle habits can help you keep your heart strong and healthy in the future. You may be advised to exercise regularly, eat a heart-healthy diet, prioritize quality sleep, quit smoking and find healthy ways to manage your stress.
Partnering with Your Doctor for Informed Decisions
Talk to one of our cardiac surgeons who can provide you with personalized guidance related to your condition and your overall heart health.
Heart Care Resources at University Health
At University Health, we are taking steps to address community needs within Bexar County. This is why we are excited to offer resources for everyone, whether you receive care from us or not. Visit our Institute for Public Health to find heart health resources.
