CABG, or Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting, is a common cardiac surgery. It helps improve blood flow to the heart by bypassing blocked arteries. In the article, we will discuss CABG, its importance, the procedure, and how it can benefit heart patients.
What is CABG?
CABG is a form of surgery that helps improve the flow of blood to the heart. It is performed when plaques cause narrowing in most of the coronary arteries supplying blood to the heart, or totally block them. Blockages can cause chest pain or even heart attacks. CABG involves taking a blood vessel from another part of your body and bypassing the blocked arteries, thus making it easy for blood to reach the heart.
Why is CABG Performed?
The most common reason for CABG is the treatment of coronary artery disease, which is caused by the accumulation of plaque in the arteries. This eventually limits blood and oxygen supply to the heart, causing symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue. In some cases, CAD leads to a heart attack, so CABG becomes necessary to prevent further damage to the heart muscle.
For people who are unresponsive to medicines or changes in lifestyle, CABG can also be an essential surgery for better heart functioning. However, this is particularly true for individuals with extensive obstructions in many arteries.
How is CABG Performed?
CABG surgery usually takes 3 to 6 hours. The patient is asleep throughout the procedure, as it is performed under general anaesthesia. An incision in the chest gives the surgeon access to the heart. The surgeon then removes a healthy blood vessel from another part of your body, such as your leg, arm, or chest. This vessel is used to bypass the blocked arteries, allowing blood to reach the heart by a new route.
Furthermore, the heart also stopped during surgery. Often, this happens temporarily while the heart-lung machine provides oxygen to and removes carbon dioxide from the blood while it circulates throughout the body.
Types of CABG
There are two types of CABG surgeries. They are as follows:
Traditional CABG: Involves an open-chest procedure and uses a heart-lung machine.
Minimally Invasive CABG: The incision size is smaller, and sometimes no heart-lung machine is used. Recovery is faster.
Your doctor will determine which method is best for you, depending on your health condition and the severity of the blockages.
Recovery After CABG Surgery
CABG recovery differs from one person to the other. However, most patients spend about 1 week in the hospital after surgery. This will help in monitoring the patient’s progress and ensure that there are no complications. You may have to spend some more days in the hospital if you have issues like infection or blood clots.
After being discharged, you will need to rest and strictly follow your doctor’s instructions. You may be prescribed medication and asked to report for follow-up appointments. Maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and a balanced diet is important for long-term recovery.
Additionally, many patients are also cautioned to quit smoking, reduce the intake of alcohol, and bring stress levels within control. Through these lifestyle measures, you’ll heal faster with a reduced prospect of future heart problems.
Risks and Complications of CABG
Similar to any major surgical procedure, CABG is a procedure that can have risks of infection, haemorrhage, the formation of thrombi, or abnormal heartbeats. Additionally, complications are sometimes encountered including stroke or a heart attack in some patients.
However, the overall success rate for CABG is high, and many patients feel a significant improvement in quality of life after the surgery. It is very important to discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before deciding to do a CABG procedure.
Choosing the Right Heart Specialist
Finding the best cardiology doctor in Vadodara is a very important move for successful CABG surgery. You will need a well-experienced and skilled heart specialist who can assess your condition and outline the best treatment plan.
A genuine heart specialist will ensure that you understand the procedure, the recovery process, and any lifestyle changes you need to implement.Additionally, it is important to select a heart specialist hospital in Vadodara with modern facilities and a good track record in cardiac surgery.
Moreover, the hospital should provide specialized care, including 24×7 emergency ICU services, to handle any emergencies that may arise during the surgery or recovery period.
After CABG Surgery: Lifestyle Adjustments
CABG surgery requires making long-term changes in lifestyle habits to keep one’s heart in good health after the surgery. A heart-healthy diet and regular exercise may be required in addition to the management of stress and possibly medications related to cholesterol control, blood pressure, and levels of blood sugar.
Therefore, it is really important to check up with your cardiology team regularly. They will track your progress and ensure that the heart continues working well after surgery.
Conclusion
CABG is a life-saving surgery; it helps in improving blood circulation towards your heart. If you have coronary artery disease and your doctor advises you to undergo CABG, it can really make a difference in your quality of life and reduce the rate of heart attack.
It is vital that you select the best heart hospital in Vadodara that provides 24×7 emergency ICU services to take care of your treatment and recovery. However, make sure that you have a skilled cardiology team working for you that will guide you through the whole process, answer your questions, and help you heal. Additionally, do as your doctor tells you about medication, lifestyle, and follow-up care. This will help you live a healthy and active life post-CABG surgery.
