In order to address heart problems, open heart surgery is performed. This surgery involves three techniques - open pump surgery, off pump surgery, and robot assisted surgery. These techniques have their own complexities we will know later. But the financial implications arising from these open heart surgery techniques can be massive. The surgery cost can go up to INR 5 lakh, depending on the type of hospital, technology used, and the city where the operation takes place. Open heart surgery may be followed by routine medications and visits to the hospital for check-ups. All these will only add to your cost. So, a health insurance policy is imperative to deal with open heart surgery costs.
How Much Will it Cost for an Open Heart Surgery Across Different Cities in India?
Depending on a number of variables, the price can normally range between INR. 1,50,000 and INR 6,00,000. The average Indian family finds it difficult to afford open heart surgery because the price is so high and exceeds their income. If a youngster needs this operation, it is far more expensive, costing between INR 1.5 lakh and INR 2.5 lakh in private facilities. You can avoid these financial disasters by purchasing a health insurance policy that covers severe illnesses.
Here is a list of open heart surgery costs in various cities of India.
| City | Approximate Costs (In INR) |
| Mumbai | 1.8 -6 Lakh |
| Delhi | 2-4.5 Lakh |
| Chennai | 1.6-3.7 Lakh |
| Kolkata | 1.5-4 Lakh |
| Bangalore | 1.8- 3.6 Lakh |
| Hyderabad | 1.8-3.6 Lakh |
| Pune | 1.8- 3.8 Lakh |
Factors That Impact the Cost of Open Heart Surgery in India
- The cost of doing business is higher in a metropolis than in other types of cities.
- The kind of method or technique is being employed
- The type of surgery, as well as the training and credentials of the surgeon
- If you have health insurance or are paying out-of-pocket,
- The type of the patient's illness and the extent of the required operation
- General health and fitness of the patient, as well as the reputation of the medical facility
- Several tests conducted prior to the operation
How Does the Doctor Approach Open Heart Surgery?
Your doctor will need to cut through your sternum, open your chest wall, and spread your ribs in order to reach your heart. Open heart surgery is dependable and secure. However, if your doctor thinks you cannot handle it, he/she may advise against it. An open heart procedure known as a coronary artery bypass is the most popular kind. Blood travels through the coronary arteries to the heart. A person may be at risk of having a heart attack if their arteries constrict or become blocked as a result of cardiac disease. During the procedure, a healthy blood vessel is removed from another area of the body and used to circumvent the clogged arteries.
A malfunctioning aortic valve replacement is another open-heart operation. The aortic heart valve stops blood from returning to the heart after it has been pumped out.
Surgeons also undertake open-heart surgery in order to treat aneurysms, which are enlargements in the major artery leaving the heart.
What are the Techniques Used While Performing an Open Heart Surgery?
There are three different types:
On Pump Surgery -The heart is briefly stopped from beating during the procedure using a pump machine.
Off Pump Surgery - Here no pumps are needed as the heart is still beating throughout the procedure.
Robot Assisted Surgery -. Surgery is carried out by robotic arms that are controlled by surgeons via computers, which is a relatively novel idea.
What Tests are Carried Out Before an Open Heart Surgery?
The doctor orders the following tests to make the procedure safer:
Echocardiogram or Echo: An echocardiography is used to assess the strength of your cardiac muscles and the efficiency of your heart valves.
Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): An ECG or EKG records the heart's electrical signal in order to detect various cardiac disorders. Your heart rate and rhythm are being watched.
Lab testing: It examines your blood type, blood count, urine, thyroid function, kidney and liver function, and blood count in case a transfusion is required during surgery.
Chest X-Ray: Images of the heart, lungs, airways, blood vessels, and spine and chest bones can be seen on a chest x-ray.
Dobutamine stress echocardiogram (DSE): When dobutamine is injected into a vein, the heart beats more quickly. It simulates how exercise affects the heart.
Treadmill Test or TMT: This treatment, also referred to as a cardiac stress test, determines the highest heart rate at which an aberrant rhythm or a reduction in blood flow to the heart muscle is not expected to happen.
Complete blood count (CBC):is a blood test used to assess your general health and find a number of diseases, such as leukaemia, anaemia, and infections.
Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging or MRI: It is a method that uses radio waves, a strong magnetic field, and a computer to produce exact images of the internal structures of the heart. This test gives you a complete picture of your heart.
Angiography: It is an X-ray method for examining blood vessels. Your blood vessels are highlighted so that your doctor can see whether there are any issues. The X-ray images created during an angiography are known as angiograms.
Conclusion
It's normal to feel scared when a doctor advises you to have an open heart surgery for fixing the ailment you may have. However, taking an active role in your care and treatment may help allay your worries and give you some measure of control. It's also crucial to have a reliable financial safety net like critical care health insurance to handle these expenses when times are tough. Following open heart surgery, healing is always gradual but constant. One may not start to feel better for up to six weeks, and it may take up to six months for the procedure to take full effect.
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