FAQs

After surgery, you will not be able to lift anything over five pounds for two months. This will give your breast bone (sternum) time to heal.

Depending on the operation, the average heart surgery takes three to four hours in the operating room. Your loved ones should know that in order to give you the best care possible, your doctors and nurses will need at least one hour before your surgery and at least one hour after surgery to make you comfortable and settled into your room.

The risks for isolated mitral valve repair or aortic valve surgery are minimal, and are similar to any surgery. They include the risk of bleeding, infection, pneumonia, organ failure, stroke, and even a small risk of death. In general, these complications are expected in less than 5% of patients. During your consultation, your surgeon can tell you what your specific risks are.

Cardiothoracic surgery, also called heart surgery, is a treatment option that improves blood flow to the heart. There are different purposes for heart surgery. Common purposes for this surgery include repairing or replacing a heart valve or bypassing a blocked or partially blocked artery.

A cardiologist evaluates and treats heart disease by doing certain tests, using medicines, and sometimes doing a heart catheterization or opening up the arteries in the heart with an angioplasty. A cardiothoracic surgeon performs a number of operations on the heart and major blood vessels, including coronary bypass surgery, valve replacement and aneurysm repair.

t is common to experience depression after heart surgery. Heart surgery is considered major surgery and with any major surgery patients usually have limitations. During the period of limitations, you may be listless and uninterested in doing much until you start feeling better.