Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. In about 5-10% of patients, especially those who are not on medication, have uncontrolled diabetes, develop kidney failure, or continue to smoke, stents can show narrowing (restenosis). If a disciplined lifestyle is not followed, new blockages can appear in other areas of the vessels too. Stent restenosis can be treated by balloon angioplasty, a second stent, drug-coated balloons, or by Bypass surgery.

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) is a procedure where a surgeon makes new routes (bypass) around blocked or narrowed coronary arteries with one or more grafts allowing increased blood flow to the vessel past the blockage. These grafts are typically healthy blood vessels from the chest, arm, or leg of the patient.

No treatment for coronary blocks can be considered a permanent solution. A small number of patients can have the failure of bypass surgery very early. In a majority, Bypass surgeries can help to feel better and prolong life for over 10-15 years. Again, lifestyle and adherence to medical advice after bypass surgery are of paramount importance in keeping the procedure durable. Visit Best Heart Hospital in Bangalore to avail of advanced heart surgeries or procedures.

It is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle post a heart surgery includes: Quit smoking. Eat a healthy diet that is low in saturated fat. Lower your cholesterol levels. Try to maintain a healthy weight. Exercise regularly. Control other conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Do not skip any medications prescribed by your doctor.

There are various types of disorders related to the heart. Congenital heart disease is a defect of the heart which are present since birth. Arrhythmias are abnormal heart rhythm or irregular heartbeat affecting the electrical conduction. Coronary artery disease is caused by the narrowing of the coronary arteries leading to the decreased blood supply to the heart. This can potentially lead to angina, heart attacks, weakening of the heart muscle, or sudden death. Cardiomyopathy refers to diseases affecting the heart muscle. Some types of cardiomyopathy are genetic, while others occur because of an infection or reasons that are less well understood. Heart failure happens when the heart is not properly pumping blood throughout the body. In this condition often the heart's pumping capacity is reduced. Valvular heart disease affects how the valves function to regulate blood flow in and out of the heart chambers. Hypertension is a condition in which the blood vessels have persistently increased pressure, putting them under increased stress. It is often known as high or raised blood pressure. Pericardial diseases affect the outer layer (pericardium) of the heart. It can be affected by a variety of conditions that include inflammation (pericarditis), stiffness (constrictive pericarditis), and fluid accumulation (pericardial effusion).

Normal blood pressure is defined as blood pressure of 120 mmHg systolic, 80 mmHg diastolic. Blood pressure of 140/90 or higher is termed as hypertension.

The cause of high blood pressure is unclear in most people. However, older age, physical inactivity, poor diet, obesity, kidney problems, alcohol use, certain birth control pills, and persistent stress can all contribute to the development of hypertension. People with high blood pressure usually have no signs when their blood pressure is excessively high, or if they have already had high blood pressure.

Higher the blood pressure, higher is the risk of damage to the heart and blood vessels in major organs such as the kidney and brain. Uncontrolled hypertension can lead to an enlargement of the heart, heart attack, and eventually heart failure. Hypertension can also lead to blindness, stroke, and kidney failure.

High blood pressure can be prevented and controlled by maintaining a healthy diet. Reduce your salt intake. Increase the intake of vegetables and fruits. Avoid saturated fats. Engage yourself in moderate exercises. Aim for a minimum of thirty minutes of aerobic activity, such as brisk walks for five days a week. Avoid and stop smoking and other tobacco products and avoid alcohol abuse. Reduce stress levels by engaging with fun activities and meditation. If advised medications, please take them regularly. Does erratic sleep over the long run lead to a potential heart attack? Are the professionals working night shifts at a higher risk of a heart attack? Yes. Every individual needs at least 6-8 hours of undisturbed sleep. Studies have shown that working night shift meddles with the body’s circadian rhythm, putting it under stress and making it more susceptible to heart problems like irregular heartbeats and heart attack.

Heart failure is a condition in which your heart is not pumping normally and is unable to deliver oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. It does not mean the heart has stopped working. It means that it is working at lower efficiency. The heart muscle is either too weak and cannot pump blood to the rest of the body with enough force (systolic failure) and/or has trouble relaxing and becomes stiff (diastolic failure). This causes a build-up of fluid (congestion) in the lungs, feet, and other body tissues. This generally develops slowly but can also present very rapidly.