Heart Surgery in Faridabad
Heart surgery covers operative treatment for coronary artery disease and valve disease, considered when medication or angioplasty is not the right option.
- Cardiology
- 5-step procedure
At a glance
- Department
- Cardiology
- Hospital
- Goga Ji Hospital
- Location
- Jawahar Colony, Near Disposal Chowk, Faridabad
- Appointments
- +91-9266088551
This page explains what the procedure involves, who it suits, what recovery typically looks like and what the risks are, so you arrive at your appointment already informed rather than deciding on the spot.
What is heart surgery?
Heart surgery covers operations on the heart itself and its arteries and valves. The two most common are coronary artery bypass grafting, which routes blood around blocked arteries using a graft taken from elsewhere in the body, and valve surgery, which repairs or replaces a valve that is leaking or narrowed.
It is major surgery with a substantial recovery, and it is recommended when it offers a better result than medication or angioplasty — typically when several arteries are involved, or when a valve problem is causing the heart to fail.
Who needs it
The decision follows detailed assessment, usually including angiography.
- Blockages in several coronary arteries, or in a critical position
- Angina that persists despite medication and is not suitable for angioplasty
- A heart valve that is severely narrowed or leaking
- Diabetes with multi-vessel coronary disease, where surgery often gives better long-term results
- Complications of a heart attack requiring surgical repair
- A previous angioplasty that has not resolved the problem
Types
What is done depends on which part of the heart is affected.
Coronary artery bypass grafting
A blood vessel taken from the chest, leg or arm is used to carry blood past a blocked coronary artery.
Valve repair
Preserving your own valve where its structure allows it to be repaired rather than replaced.
Valve replacement
Replacing a damaged valve with a mechanical or tissue prosthesis. The choice affects whether lifelong blood thinning is needed.
How the procedure works
Heart surgery is performed under general anaesthetic and typically takes several hours.
- 1
Anaesthesia and monitoring
You are fully anaesthetised, with detailed monitoring lines placed before the operation begins.
- 2
Access to the heart
The chest is opened, usually through the breastbone, to reach the heart.
- 3
Supporting the circulation
For many operations a machine takes over the work of the heart and lungs so the surgeon can work on a still heart.
- 4
The repair
Grafts are attached to bypass blockages, or the affected valve is repaired or replaced.
- 5
Closing and transfer to intensive care
The chest is closed and you are transferred to the intensive care unit, still asleep, to wake under close monitoring.
Preparing for it
Preparation is thorough, because fitness going in affects recovery coming out.
- Detailed assessment: blood tests, imaging, dental review, and assessment of lung and kidney function
- Stopping smoking, which measurably reduces lung complications after surgery
- Specific instructions on blood thinners, diabetes medication and other drugs
- Breathing exercises taught before surgery, to be used afterwards
- Treating any active infection, including dental infection, before operating
- Practical planning: several weeks of reduced activity at home, and help available
Recovery
Recovery from heart surgery is measured in months, not weeks. These are typical ranges.
- 1
Intensive care
The first day or two under continuous monitoring, with breathing support initially, then gradual waking and removal of tubes and lines.
- 2
Ward, days 2 to 7
Sitting, standing and walking short distances. Breathing exercises are important to prevent chest infection.
- 3
Discharge, around a week
Most people go home within about a week, with clear wound care instructions and restrictions on lifting and driving.
- 4
Six to twelve weeks
The breastbone takes around six to twelve weeks to heal. Activity increases gradually, ideally through structured cardiac rehabilitation.
- 5
Three to six months
Most people are back to routine activity. Tiredness for several months is normal and expected.
Risks and complications
Heart surgery carries significant risks, which vary considerably with your age, heart function and other conditions. Your surgeon will discuss your individual risk rather than a general figure.
- Bleeding, sometimes requiring return to theatre
- Infection of the wound, chest or breastbone
- Irregular heart rhythm, which is common after surgery and usually treatable
- Stroke
- Kidney impairment
- Chest infection, which breathing exercises help prevent
- Persistent tiredness and low mood during recovery, which is common and worth mentioning to your team
- Grafts or valves that fail over the years
Ask about your own risk
These are the risks of the procedure in general. Your personal risk depends on your age, other conditions and the specifics of your case — ask your surgeon to put a figure on it for you before you consent.
Rehabilitation
Cardiac rehabilitation is one of the most effective parts of the whole treatment.
- Breathing exercises from the first days, to protect the lungs
- Graded walking, increasing distance week by week
- Guidance on lifting, driving, returning to work and sexual activity
- Risk-factor management: blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and smoking
- Attention to mood, since low mood after cardiac surgery is common and treatable
Care at Goga Ji Hospital
Cardiac surgery at Goga Ji Hospital is carried out by the cardiology and surgical teams in our operation theatres, with post-operative care in the intensive care unit under the critical care team, on the same site.
Frequently asked questions
How long is recovery after bypass surgery?
Most people go home about a week after the operation, and the breastbone takes roughly six to twelve weeks to heal. Getting back to full routine activity commonly takes two to three months, and feeling tired for several months afterwards is normal rather than a sign something is wrong.
Will I need to take medicines for life afterwards?
Almost certainly yes — and that is not a failure of the operation. Surgery treats the blockages that exist; medication for blood pressure, cholesterol and platelet function protects the arteries you have left. If you have a mechanical valve, lifelong blood thinning is required and needs regular monitoring.
Is bypass surgery better than a stent?
For some patients, yes; for others, no. Surgery tends to have the edge with multiple blocked arteries, disease in certain positions, or alongside diabetes. Stenting avoids open surgery and has a much shorter recovery. Your cardiologist should explain the specific reasoning in your case.
What is the difference between a mechanical and a tissue valve?
Mechanical valves last longer but require lifelong blood-thinning medication with regular blood tests. Tissue valves usually do not require lifelong blood thinning but may wear out sooner and need replacing. The choice depends heavily on your age and circumstances, and it is a decision to make with your surgeon.
This page is general health information, not medical advice. It cannot account for your history, medication or test results. Please speak to a qualified doctor about your own symptoms and treatment. If you think you are having a medical emergency, seek immediate help.
Considering heart surgery?
Talk to our cardiology team at Goga Ji Hospital, Faridabad, about whether it is the right option for you.