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Heart Surgery
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Blood Heart Circulation

Heart Surgery

Heart surgery repairs or replaces damaged heart structures when other treatments fail, ranging from emergency interventions to planned procedures.

Overview

Heart surgery can correct certain heart problems when other treatments haven't worked or can't be used. In some cases it is a medical emergency—such as surgery needed immediately after a severe heart attack—while other procedures can be scheduled in advance. Major operations include coronary artery bypass surgery for blocked arteries, whereas minor procedures may involve implanting a pacemaker.

Conditions Treated

  • Coronary artery disease (CAD) – plaque narrows or blocks the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle. Surgery creates a new path for blood to flow around the blockage (coronary artery bypass graft, CABG), the most common adult heart surgery.
  • Heart valve diseases – problems with the valves that control blood flow through the heart. Surgery repairs or replaces valves with a mechanical or biologic (pig, cow, or human tissue) valve.
  • Arrhythmia – abnormal heart rate or rhythm caused by changes in electrical signals. Treatments include implanting a pacemaker or an implantable cardioverter‑defibrillator (ICD), and Maze surgery (small cuts that scar to guide electrical signals).
  • Heart failure – the heart is too weak or stiff to pump enough oxygen‑rich blood. Devices placed in the chest may include:
    • An implantable cardioverter‑defibrillator (ICD) to help prevent sudden cardiac arrest.
    • A biventricular pacemaker to coordinate pumping action.
    • A ventricular assist device to aid the heart’s pumping.
    • A total artificial heart to replace the heart’s function.
    In severe cases, a heart transplantation replaces a diseased heart with a healthy donor heart.
  • Heart aneurysm – a balloon‑like bulge in the wall of an artery that can be life‑threatening if it ruptures. Surgery repairs or replaces the weak segment with a fabric patch or tube.
  • Angina – chest pain from coronary artery disease. Transmyocardial laser revascularization uses a laser to create small channels in heart muscle.
  • Damaged and abnormal heart structures, including congenital heart defects – structural problems present at birth. Surgery repairs damage or corrects abnormal formation, tailored to the specific defect.

Surgical Approaches

  • Open‑heart surgery (traditional) – the chest is opened, the heart is stopped with medication, and a heart‑lung bypass machine maintains circulation.
  • Off‑pump heart surgery – performed on a beating heart without a bypass machine; the heart is steadied with a device and may be used for certain CABG procedures.
  • Minimally invasive heart surgery – small 2–3 inch incisions between the ribs; tools are inserted through these cuts and may or may not use a bypass machine.
  • Robotic‑assisted surgery – a form of minimally invasive surgery where the surgeon controls robotic arms via a computer, allowing high precision for complex operations.

Risks of Heart Surgery

Like all surgery, heart surgery carries risks, though outcomes are often excellent. Common risks include:

  • Bleeding
  • Infection, fever, and swelling
  • Complications from anesthesia
  • Arrhythmia
  • Damage to the heart, kidneys, liver, or lungs
  • Stroke

Risk levels increase when:

  • The surgery is performed as an emergency.
  • The patient has additional medical conditions such as:
    • Diabetes
    • Kidney disease
    • Lung disease
    • Peripheral artery disease (PAD)

Frequently Asked Questions

Physical preparation often involves optimizing your health before surgery, such as quitting smoking, managing blood pressure and diabetes, and maintaining a healthy diet. You may be asked to stop certain medications. Mentally, it's helpful to understand the procedure, ask questions, and discuss any anxieties with your healthcare team, family, or support groups. Planning for post-surgery care at home is also important.
While heart surgery is generally safe, potential risks include bleeding, infection, blood clots, stroke, heart attack, kidney problems, or adverse reactions to anesthesia. Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats) are also common temporarily after surgery. Your surgical team will discuss specific risks based on your health and the type of procedure.
Recovery varies depending on the specific surgery and individual health. Generally, patients spend a few days in the hospital's intensive care unit (ICU) followed by several days in a regular hospital room. Full recovery at home can take 6 to 12 weeks, involving gradual increases in activity. Cardiac rehabilitation is often recommended to help regain strength, improve heart health, and manage lifestyle changes.
fter heart surgery, significant lifestyle changes are often crucial for long-term health. These commonly include adopting a heart-healthy diet (low in saturated fats, cholesterol, and sodium), engaging in regular physical activity as advised by your doctor, quitting smoking, managing stress, and taking prescribed medications consistently. Regular follow-up appointments with your cardiologist are also essential.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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