Heart Surgery: What You Need to Know Before, During, and After

When your heart isn’t pumping right, heart surgery, a medical procedure to repair or replace damaged parts of the heart. Also known as cardiac surgery, it’s one of the most common reasons people are referred to specialized hospitals across India. It’s not always a last resort. For many, it’s the only way to get back to walking, climbing stairs, or playing with grandchildren without gasping for air.

Heart surgery covers more than just bypass surgery, a procedure that reroutes blood around blocked arteries. It also includes valve replacements, fixing or swapping damaged heart valves that leak or don’t open properly, and even implanting devices like pacemakers or ventricular assist pumps. These aren’t one-size-fits-all. Someone with severe coronary artery disease, a condition where plaque builds up in heart arteries, cutting off blood flow might need a bypass. Someone with a leaky mitral valve might need a repair instead. Age, overall health, and how long symptoms have been present all shape the decision.

It’s not just about cutting open the chest. Modern heart surgery often uses smaller incisions, robotic tools, or even catheter-based approaches that don’t require stopping the heart. But not everyone qualifies. If you have uncontrolled diabetes, severe lung disease, or a recent stroke, your doctor might hold off. And recovery? It’s not a weekend off. Most people need 6 to 12 weeks to feel normal again—physical therapy, diet changes, and strict medication schedules are part of the deal.

You’ll find real stories here—not theory, not ads. People who chose surgery after years of chest pain. Those who avoided it and regretted it. Others who thought they’d never walk again, but now do. These aren’t success stories from brochures. They’re raw, messy, honest accounts from people who lived through it. Whether you’re considering surgery, supporting someone who is, or just trying to understand why your doctor mentioned it, this collection gives you the facts without the fluff.