Heart Blockage treatment

Heart blockages are a common term used to refer to Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). The condition occurs when plaque builds up in the heart’s blood vessels affecting the heart’s pumping capacity. As a result, insufficient blood flow from the heart can lead to tissue damage in various organs.

Coronary Artery Disease can be treated with lifestyle modifications and medication if the disease is mild, that is, the heart blockage is less than 40%. Moderate heart blockage is typically in the 40-70% range. If the blockage is at least 70%, which is a severe medical condition, then a stent may be placed. Doctors may recommend a Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) when there is significant narrowing of the left major coronary artery or all three major coronary arteries.

Introduction to Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG)

CABG is a surgical procedure aimed at improving blood flow & oxygen supply to the heart. CABG works by diverting blood around narrowed or clogged parts of the major arteries. During the bypass surgery, the surgeon may take blood vessels from the patient’s leg (saphenous vein), inside their chest (internal mammary artery), or their arm (radial artery). CABG is a major surgery that requires an incision through the patient’s chest through the breastbone while spreading the ribs to reach the heart and performing graft surgery.

It is performed by the dedicated & experienced medical team at Metro Hospitals, which consists of board-certified interventional cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, imaging specialists, anesthesiologists, cardiac cath lab staff, and cardiac surgeons.

Pre-procedure Preparations

It is important to understand what happens before CABG to prepare for it. Here are a few things that should be done before the procedure:

1. Consultation: Your physician will discuss with you the risks, benefits, and pre- and post-procedure requirements. Patients are requested to have a detailed consultation with their physician and get all their queries answered before the procedure.
2. Testing: Comprehensive testing will be conducted before the procedure to evaluate your eligibility and assist the doctors in preparing for it.
3. Medication: You may be prescribed specific medications a few weeks before the surgery and may be instructed to discontinue certain other medications.
4. Diet: Doctors may prescribe dietary changes as well as tell you to fast for at least 8 hours before the surgery.
5. Lifestyle Changes: Making lifestyle changes is crucial for managing heart-related problems.Your doctors may recommend physical exercises or additional lifestyle changes to ensure that the procedure remains successful and you will be able to maintain good health afterwards. Quitting smoking is important if you have been recommended to undergo CABG. Patients who won’t quit smoking are likely to have complications after the surgery.
6. Family Spokesperson: Select a dependable individual to make critical decisions for you while you are under anesthesia. Consider providing them with advanced directives.
7. Plan ahead for surgery, including transportation to the hospital, who will accompany you, arrangements for post-surgery transportation, and support during the recovery period.

Benefits of the Procedure

CABG has many benefits, including:

• Fewer heart-rhythm problems
• Improved life expectancy
• Lowered risk of developing memory issues and problems with cognition
• Reduced injury to the heart
• Reduced need for transfusion
• Reduced risk of heart failure
• Reduced risk of stroke
• Shorter hospital stay

Eligibility for CABG

Not everyone is a candidate for CABG. To discern which patients will be suitable for a CABG procedure, our expert heart doctors & physicians will perform a series of tests, including-

1. Blood tests
2. Blood work
3. Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging
4. Catheterization/Angiogram of the Heart
5. Electrocardiogram (ECG)
6. X-ray

Doctors will also assess you for any existing medical conditions, allergy towards anaesthesia, etc., to see if you are eligible for a Coronary Artery Bypass Graft.

Who is not eligible for CABG?

You may not be a candidate for CABG if you have the following:

• Allergy to anaesthesia
• Existing diseases that severely affect other organs like the lungs or kidneys
• Extreme old age
• Ongoing infections
• Physical disability or weakness, including an inability to care for yourself
• Pre-existing conditions, like an aneurysm, heart valve disease, or blood disease
• Terminal illnesses, including advanced cancer, AIDS, liver failure, or severe dementia

Heart blockages can be serious if they affect a major part of the heart. If you suffer from heart blockages, surgery may not always be necessary. Often, healthy lifestyle modifications and medications can effectively treat heart blockages, helping you live a normal life.

Our expert cardiologists will offer you the best possible advice and help guide you towards the right course of treatment after considering every aspect. At Metro Group of Hospitals, we are always available to answer your queries.