Open heart surgery involves the opening of the chest with a large incision. It is a surgical treatment for treating a range of cardiovascular conditions such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, aneurysms, and congenital heart conditions. While there are some heart surgeries that can be performed by accessing the heart through small incisions and a camera on the left side of the ribs, this isn’t the case with open heart surgery. Instead, a surgeon cuts through the sternum and ribcage with an open heart surgery to access the heart.

In this blog, Dr. Sujay Shad, a leading heart surgeon, has discussed crucial insights on the preparation of open heart surgery. He is a leading heart specialist practicing at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and is known for performing the best open heart surgery in Delhi. Read on for more insights.
How to Prepare Yourself For Open Heart Surgery?
Quit Smoking and Drinking: One should avoid smoking and drinking at least two weeks before the open heart surgery. Both can delay post-surgical healing. Also, drinking in particular can impair the immune system and liver function, which increases the risk of surgical complications.


Start the Breathing Exercises Early: The heart specialists will give a device called an incentive spirometer, which helps to take slow and deep breaths before the surgery. Experts suggest that deep breathing exercises beginning a few weeks before the surgery can reduce the risk of other lung problems after the surgery.


Eat Well: The better one takes care of them before the surgery, the better the recovery afterwards. Like other surgeries, one needs to modify what they eat and drink before the open heart surgery. The surgical team will instruct accordingly. They will also guide what to eat and what not to eat. It is vital to follow the instructions so that food and drink do not interfere with anesthesia.


What to Wear: Since one will be given general anesthesia, one will need to change into the hospital’s gown once they arrive for the surgery. Open heart surgery is an inpatient surgical procedure, and one will have to carry comfortable and loose-fitting clothing along with them. Also, the hospital may ask one to remove makeup, deodorant, and contact lenses before undergoing the surgery.


Medications: If the patient takes any medications or dietary supplements that affect blood clotting, the surgeon will instruct the patient to stop taking them to reduce bleeding before or after the surgery.


Therefore, if one is planning to undergo open heart surgery, one can schedule a consultation with Dr. Sujay Shad at the leading hospital, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. He is also widely known for performing the best Aortic Surgery in India.
Visit Sir Ganga Ram Hospital for more information!