Cardiovascular Surgery — Definition, Types, Recovery, and Risks

Dr. Rajan Bhatt graduated from the University of Arizona School of Medicine. He also graduated with distinction in biochemistry and cell biology from the University of California, San Diego. Dr. Rajan Bhatt owns and manages Valley Surgery Center in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Doctors perform cardiovascular surgery, also called heart surgery or cardiac surgery, on the heart and blood vessels to treat complications or life-threatening conditions. Different types of cardiac surgery include coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), cardiopulmonary bypass, heart valve replacement, heart transplant, aneurysm repair, heart valve repair, cardiomyoplasty, and minimally invasive heart surgeries.

Recovering from heart surgery can take two to three months or longer. To aid the recovery process, doctors recommend pain relievers, heart-healthy diets, and proper rest and sleep. Doctors also advise limited physical and strenuous activity. Possible complications from heart surgery include blood clots, pneumonia, infection, fever, bleeding, intense pain, heart attack, stroke, and allergic reaction to anesthesia. Despite complications, the mortality rate for heart surgery is low.