Although they’re uncommon, you may have complications after heart surgery. These could include the following:

• Irregular heart rhythms
• Bleeding
• Heart attack
• Heart failure
• Pulmonary problems
• Renal failure
• Thrombocytopenia (decrease in the number of platelets)
• Rapid weight change
• Fever
• Wound infection (chest wound or leg wound)
• Neurological problems
• Stroke

Usually, about 90% of the patients survive five years post-surgery, and about 74% survive ten years. In addition to your age and medical condition, long-term outcomes will depend on the following:

• Healthy eating habits
• Exercising
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Quitting smoking
• Taking medications for lowering cholesterol, preventing blood clots, and controlling diabetes and blood pressure

Yes, you can lead a normal life after bypass surgery by adopting an active and healthy lifestyle. Most people remain symptom-free for about 10-15 years after surgery. However, other arteries or new grafts may become clogged in the heart after surgery with time and may require another bypass.

Bypass surgery improves the survival chances and the quality of life of the patient. However, maintaining a healthy weight, controlling blood pressure, lowering cholesterol levels, eating right, regular exercising, and quitting smoking will largely affect the long-term outcome of heart bypass surgery.

For the first 30 days, heart and coronary arteries become vulnerable after the heart bypass surgery. Thus, some patients can have a heart attack during the surgery or shortly afterward. Additionally, it is crucial to reduce the risk factors (such as high cholesterol, obesity, and smoking) even after the surgery.

Postoperative care is important after open-heart surgery, as it is a major operation. Depending on your age, fitness, and medical condition, heart after surgery may take about three months for a full recovery. However, you will start feeling better after four to six weeks.

Good self-care is of utmost importance for faster healing of the heart after surgery. Although it may be challenging, both physically and emotionally, you can use these self-care tips:

• Get plenty of rest
• Walk daily
• Talk with your family or friends
• Get involved in your hobbies or some social activities

Initially, you may experience clicking or rubbing of the sternum while breathing or moving. However, it stops once you heal completely. Usually, 80% of the sternum will heal after six to eight weeks.

Fluid retention after open-heart surgery is common. During surgery, saline is used to dilute blood elements of the patient in the heart-lung machine that causes fluid retention. Additionally, surgery may cause some hormonal changes that lead to fluid retention. Your doctor will prescribe some medications (diuretics) after surgery to release the fluid from the body.

Obesity is a significant risk factor for heart attack or heart failure. Bariatric surgery (weight-loss surgery) is an effective way to prevent heart diseases. However, people who have had a heart attack should get clearance from a heart specialist before undergoing bariatric surgery.

It is good to wait to drive till the time you visit your doctor for postoperative follow-up. Your surgeon makes sure your sternum has healed before you start driving. Once it has healed, it is safe to resume driving, which is usually four to six weeks after heart surgery.

Any more doubts about heart after surgery? Consult our experts to get a free second opinion.