No, you are not typically alive during open heart surgery. Open heart surgery is an invasive surgical procedure which requires the heart to be stopped, either with a heart-lung machine or a technique called hypothermic arrest, in order to work on it.
This means that you are completely unconscious during the procedure to reduce the risk of having any awareness of the events taking place during the operation. The surgeon may choose to use a minimally-invasive technique, such as minimally invasive valve repair or robotic coronary artery bypass graft, which allow the patient to remain conscious during the operation; however, this is not common or suitable for all open heart surgeries.
Is open-heart surgery very serious?
Yes, open-heart surgery is a very serious and invasive procedure. Open-heart surgery requires that the patient be placed on a heart-lung machine so that the heart can be stopped temporarily to repair the damaged parts or replace an entire valve.
During the operation, vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, breathing) are monitored closely, blood and saline transfusions are given, and step-by-step critical decisions are made. Recovery for open-heart surgery is usually lengthy, requiring a stay in the intensive care unit for a few days after the surgery.
Depending on the condition of the patient and the severity of the procedure, hospital stays can be two weeks or longer. After the patient is released from the hospital, a lengthy period of rest and physical therapy must take place before the patient can return to any activities.
As such, open-heart surgery is a very serious operation, both in terms of the actual operation and the lengthy recovery period that follows.
Can you live 20 years after heart surgery?
Yes, it is entirely possible to live 20 or more years after undergoing heart surgery. Depending on the type of surgery, the patient’s overall health, and their lifestyle choices after the procedure, some individuals may even live years beyond 20.
For example, if the heart surgery is to treat a narrowed artery, then lifestyle change, including healthy eating and regular exercise, are important to maintain good quality of life in the long term.
Regular monitoring with a cardiologist is essential to ensure any changes to a patient’s condition are responded to quickly and appropriately.
Furthermore, some heart surgeries may involve transplants, replacements, or repairs with newer technology. Generally, the longer these replaceable parts or transplant organs can be maintained, the longer that a patient can live.
Therefore, it is entirely possible to live up to 20 years and beyond after undergoing heart surgery, provided that the patient is able to adhere to their post-surgery protocols and seek regular medical attention from their doctor.
Who is the longest surviving open heart surgery patient?
The longest surviving open heart surgery patient is believed to be Veena Sahajwalla, a 47-year-old Australian woman who underwent the procedure in 1998. Veena was born with a heart defect which made her dependent on medication to function.
In 1998, Veena underwent surgery, receiving two donor heart valves and five years of IV medications to help protect against infection. To maintain a healthy lifestyle, Veena has stuck to a healthy diet, moderate exercise and frequent appointments with her cardiologist.
She is now living a normal life, participating in activities such as rock climbing and running marathons. Veena has become a symbol of hope for people in similar situations, and her inspiring story has been shared in various media outlets around the world.
Will I ever be the same after open heart surgery?
The outcome of open heart surgery can be difficult to predict and the impact it will have on your life will depend on the nature of the procedure and how well you recover. The truth is that it is impossible to say whether you will ever be the same after open heart surgery, as your life is always changing and evolving.
Many people report feeling differently after open heart surgery, both in terms of physical stamina as well as emotional wellbeing. It is not uncommon to have to adjust to a new lifestyle, from changes to your diet to increased physical activity.
Additionally, depending on the type of procedure you have had, it could be necessary for you to take medications for several months following your surgery.
After open heart surgery, it is important to give yourself time to heal and adjust to any changes. This may involve attending physician follow-up care as well as engaging in a physical activity and emotional support program to help you recover.
Additionally, it is helpful to set realistic goals and expectations for yourself, and to be gentle with yourself during this process. As you continue to heal and adjust to the changes, you might find yourself feeling stronger and more balanced than before.
Ultimately, it is impossible to say whether your life will be the same after open heart surgery. Striving to find balance, having realistic expectations, and reaching out for support during this time can help you adjust to any physical and emotional changes that occur with open heart surgery.
At what age do heart surgeons retire?
The typical retirement age for a heart surgeon is typically 65, although it can vary depending on the individual and their country of residence. In the United States, the final retirement age for physicians is determined by a combination of contributions to the Social Security system and retirement policies set by the individual state.
Some heart surgeons work beyond 65 due to an increased demand for their services or a love of their profession. In some countries, voluntary or compulsory retirement ages may be higher or lower. However, most heart surgeons will plan to retire in their late sixties or early seventies, depending on their individual situation.
Do they put you in a coma after open heart surgery?
The use of a medically induced coma after open heart surgery depends on the patient’s individual situation and the type of surgery they are undergoing. A coma may be induced to provide rest, reduce the risk of complications, improve the chances of success, and to manage pain, stress, and swelling.
Open heart surgery can also mean having multiple organs repaired or replaced and a medically induced coma can be beneficial, especially when combined with a ventilator to provide support and assistance with breathing.
In some cases, a medically induced coma may last for several days or even weeks to provide the utmost chances at a successful surgery. During this time, vital organs, including the heart, need to be closely monitored.
After the surgery, the patient is slowly brought out of the chemically induced coma and the process of recovery begins under the close monitoring of doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals.
Given the importance of open heart surgery, it is crucial that medical professionals consider all the potential consequences, which may involve putting a patient into a medically induced coma. While it can be a complicated decision, it is also sometimes essential for the patient to receive the best care and to recover as quickly, and safely, as possible.
What will happen if I wake up from open heart surgery?
If you wake up from open heart surgery, you may feel a variety of sensations and emotions. Immediately after waking up, you may feel a combination of confusion, physical discomfort, and exhaustion due to the effects of the anesthesia and the surgery itself.
You may notice soreness, tightness, and general discomfort from the chest incisions. You may also experience a sore throat if a breathing tube was used during your procedure. Your nursing staff will monitor your activity and vital signs to ensure that you are healing properly.
Depending on your procedure and recovery plan, you may remain in the hospital for a few days. During this time, you will begin your recovery process, which may include physical therapy and pain management.
An important priority after surgery is to make sure your body is getting the rest, hydration, and nutrition it needs while undergoing recovery. After being discharged, you may be required to have follow-up appointments or even further rehabilitation.
The recovery period following open heart surgery is typically long– it often takes at least a few months before you can return to your previous levels of physical activity. Although it may be a challenging recovery process, attending your follow-up appointments and following your doctor’s instructions can help to maximize your healing and minimize your risk of complications.
How long does the brain live after heart stops?
The brain is able to survive approximately 4 to 6 minutes after the heart stops before it begins to suffer from oxygen deprivation. After the heart stops, the brain can still remain alive for an additional 3 hours if it is supplied with oxygen and the correct temperature.
However, the brain cells will begin to irreversibly die after 4 to 6 minutes due to lack of oxygen and the gradual buildup of waste products. The lack of oxygen and poor circulation will cause the brain to quickly break down, leading to permanent brain damage and loss of consciousness for the individual.
What are indicators that someone is coming out of a coma?
The indicators that someone is coming out of a coma vary depending on the type of coma they have been in. Generally, the more severe the coma, the longer it may take before they begin to come out of it.
Common signs that someone is beginning to come out of a coma include increased wakefulness, increased awareness of their surroundings, increasing ability to react to their environment and visual cues, and being able to communicate with purposeful movements or words.
More subtle signs that someone is transitioning out of a coma can also include an increase in blinking and pupil dilation, sensitivity to stimulus like sound or touch, improved reactions to physical interactions such as being moved or lifted, and an increased response to pain.
At this stage, it is important to monitor the patient closely and to document any changes in behavior and responsiveness. If the coma is starting to end, it is likely that the patient will become progressively more conscious, following the steps from a deep sleep to mild disorientation to eventual full awareness.
They may become agitated or confused as they come out of the coma but this should soon pass as they return to baseline.
Can heart problems cause coma?
Yes, heart problems can cause coma. Cardiac arrest, or a sudden interruption of the heart’s electrical activity, can cause coma. When cardiac arrest occurs, it cuts off blood supply to the brain and other organs, resulting in a coma.
Additionally, a stroke can cause coma, which is when the blood flow to the brain is blocked or decreased, depriving the brain of oxygen; stroke is a medical emergency that is often related to heart disease or a blockage in the coronary arteries.
Long-term, untreated heart failure can also lead to coma due to decreased oxygen supply to the brain. During heart failure, the heart must work extra hard to pump oxygen throughout the body and, over time, it can become too weak to do so adequately.
Finally, some heart medications can cause coma if too much is taken, such as those used to treat arrhythmias (irregular heart rhythms). If you are experiencing pronounced symptoms, such as chest pain, breathlessness, dizziness, and/or fainting, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.
How common is collapsed lung after heart surgery?
Collapsed lung after heart surgery (known as pneumothorax) is relatively uncommon, but the risk is greater in some types of heart surgery than in others. According to the American Heart Association, pneumothorax occurs in approximately 1-3 percent of cases involving open heart surgery, often as a result of a hole in the chest (known as a “chest tube”) that is inserted during surgery.
The risk is lower in cases involving minimally invasive heart procedures, such as those involving robots, and the number of cases is expected to decrease with further improvements in medical technology.
However, the risk of pneumothorax is still significant enough that those with a history of heart surgery should be aware of the signs and symptoms of a collapsed lung. Such signs include chest or shoulder swelling, chest pain, rapid breathing and difficulty breathing, and a drop in their oxygen levels.
If a patient experiences any of these symptoms, they should seek emergency medical attention.
What happens to the lungs during bypass surgery?
During bypass surgery, the lungs are temporarily bypassed so that oxygenated and deoxygenated blood does not travel through the lungs. To accomplish this, the pulmonary artery is clamped off and a cardiopulmonary bypass machine is used to bypass the lungs and pump the blood directly to the body.
Without the bypass machine the patient could not survive, as the lungs are not capable of handling the oxygenation load without the proper circulation. During the surgery, the cardiopulmonary bypass machine filters the blood to remove carbon dioxide and waste, while replenishing the blood with oxygen and nutrients.
The blood also bypasses the airways, so that instead of breathing in oxygen, the blood is just directly oxygenated by the bypass machine. After the surgery is complete, the pulmonary artery is unclamped and the bypass machine is removed, allowing the blood to once again travel through the lungs and the patient to resume normal breathing.