Open heart surgery is defined as any surgery where the chest is opened and surgery is performed on the heart muscle, valves, arteries, or other parts of the heart (such as the aorta). New developments and new procedures are always being made to increase the effectiveness of open heart surgery.
The comprehensive Open Heart program at Franciscan St. Anthony Health – Michigan City combines world-class technology and cardiac surgeons, highly trained staff and exceptional facilities to produce phenomenal outcomes.
Should I Have Heart Bypass Surgery?
The purpose of heart bypass surgery is to return blood flow to your heart muscle, so that your heart can remain healthy and work normally. Use our DecisionAssist tool to help you decide whether to have surgery and to learn what questions to ask your doctor.
Risks of Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary artery disease, the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, is a condition in which fatty deposits called plaque build-up in the heart’s arteries. These deposits cause arteries to become narrow and blocked, which restricts blood and oxygen flow to the heart muscle.
Some of the main risk factors that increase the risk for CAD are:
- Smoking
- Unhealthy cholesterol and lipid levels
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Lack of exercise
- Obesity
Recovering from surgery
Franciscan St. Anthony offers intensive and intermediate care and individualized cardiac rehabilitation services as integral parts of each patient's surgery recovery plan.