According to the World Health Organisation, about 20 million people in Africa suffer from artery disease. However, many African countries like Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and the Congo often lack proper medical equipment and expert surgeons for complicated treatment. Thus, many people from different African regions travel to India for medical care.
India has emerged as a leading global destination for medical tourism, especially in the field of cardiac surgeries like coronary artery bypass grafting. With world-class cardiac hospitals, highly expert surgeons, and advanced medical technology, India is ranked among the top destinations in medical tourism. Many international patients find India to be culturally welcoming, which makes their stay more comfortable and stress-free. Moreover, affordable treatment costs, compared to many Western countries, make India the most appealing place for patients seeking high-quality yet cost-effective treatment.
Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery (CABG) improves blood flow in the heart by bypassing blocked coronary arteries. This procedure also bypasses healthy blood vessels from another part of the body. CABG can restore blood flow to the heart muscle when other non-surgical procedures do not work. Coronary artery bypass grafting effectively improves the heart's functions and prevents the risk of other artery diseases and heart attacks.
Coronary artery bypass grafting is a procedure to treat coronary artery disease, which narrows the coronary arteries. Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery is often recommended when the coronary arteries, which supply the blood flow to heart muscles, get blocked. During this surgery, a healthy blood vessel is taken from elsewhere in the body. Then, the healthy vessel is grafted onto the blocked artery to create a new pathway for blood to be pumped and reach the heart muscles.
CABG can relieve chest pain and reduce the risk of heart attack while improving overall heart functions. Surgeons often recommend this surgery for people with severe coronary artery disease, especially when other methods of treatment are not enough to manage this condition. However, the recovery after CABG takes several weeks, but the benefits are long-lasting. Patients get healthier and more active lives post-surgery.
There can be three types of CABG surgery:
This is the most common type of coronary heart disease. It results from 50% or more blocked arteries due to plaque build-up. These narrowed or blocked arteries restrict blood flow to the heart muscles, leading to severe symptoms like chest pain or angina and increasing the risk of heart attacks.
Thiscardiac signifies no plaque build-up in the coronary arteries. Even though the blockage is minor, it causes 50% less narrowing of the arteries. Other conditions like irregular constrictions, myocardial bridging or damage to the artery lining can also restrict blood flow to the heart. It may also increase the risk of more severe conditions over time.
Although it's a rare heart condition, it causes a sudden tear in the coronary artery wall. SCAD can cause heart attacks, even in people who don't have any heart issues. It primarily affects younger women.
Patients may not feel any symptoms in the early stage of coronary artery disease. But it will continue to progress until there is enough artery blockage. Here are some common symptoms of coronary artery diseases:
You can experience sudden chest pain during physical activity or stress. If it occurs during any physical activity or stress, the symptom will usually subside with rest and medications. If it lasts longer than stable angina, it can be a sign of an impending heart attack. Then, medical attention is needed immediately.
You might feel exhausted even without any strenuous activity.
Extreme heart palpitations, which is a common feature found in patients having coronary heart disease, frequently lead to irregular or fast heartbeats.
CABG can be asymptomatic, but it can make you feel out of breath, especially during exercise or physical activity.
Discomfort, pain, or swelling in the chest, arms, neck, or back can radiate symptoms of cardiac heart disease.
The main reason for this condition is atherosclerosis, where plaque builds up in the coronary arteries. This plaque blocks the arteries, which reduces blood flow to the heart. Some other conditions or lifestyle habits can also lead to this buildup, including:
■ Diabetes: Coronary heart disease results from high blood sugar levels. It can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of CAD.
■ High Cholesterol: Extreme levels of bad cholesterol are another reason for plaque formation in the arteries.
■ High Blood Pressure: If you have high blood pressure, it can damage the artery walls overtime, which makes it more prone to plaque buildup.
■ Unhealthy lifestyle: Having a diet with high fats and processed foods is another reason for increasing cholesterol levels and plaque buildup. Also, smoking can damage the lining of artery walls and develop plaque buildup
■ Obesity: Being obese also raises the risk of cardiac artery disease as it contributes to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
■ Family History: Having a genetic predisposition to heart disease can increase the likelihood of developing this condition.
The CABG procedure cost is between $2,000 and $6,500 in India. The CABG procedure cost varies depending on several factors, including the hospital's reputation, location, surgeon's fees, and the complexity of the procedure. However, India's hospitals offer the procedure at a much lower cost than those in the UK, the USA, Canada, and others.
| Treatment | Cost in India | Stay in India |
|---|---|---|
| Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery in India | 5,000-7,500 USD | 10-12 Days |
While the quality is not compromised in terms of lower charges, many global patients find India an attractive option for coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Patients with financial constraints especially find India a reliable option for their coronary bypass surgery. The cost includes not only the surgery but also the pre-surgery tests, surgeon fees, hospital stays, and even post-operative care.
In a nutshell, medical tourism is a compelling reason patients across the world choose India for their healthcare. They can experience top-notch medical facilities and personalised care at a much lower cost compared to many other countries.
In order to diagnose coronary heart disease, your doctor may ask for some blood tests, blood pressure measurements, and heartbeat assessments. If your symptoms are genetics, you may take the following tests and procedures:
It's an invasive testing procedure that uses contrast dye to identify blockages in the coronary blood vessels and heart muscles.
This method records the strength and timing of electrical activity in the heart. It determines whether the heartbeats are steady or irregular.
This scan measures the amount of calcium or plaque buildup in the coronary artery wall. It's a CT scan method that can identify the risk of heart disease for people who smoke.
Doctors assess the condition of blood flow through the heart while resting or during physical activities. It is done by injecting a small amount of radioactive material into the bloodstream.
MRI detects any damage in the blood flow or tissue damage in the heart or coronary arteries. It can diagnose coronary microvascular disease or other CAD.
A PET scan also examines the blood flow through the coronary blood vessels and heart muscles.
Many patients wonder, "CABG, how is it done?" Here are some different techniques of CABG surgery:
In traditional coronary artery bypass grafting, doctors open the chest and then stop the beating during the procedure. Once the blood flow stops, doctors change the direction of blood flow into the heart-lung bypass machine. Meanwhile, in the next coronary artery bypass graft procedure steps, they make the bypass graft using veins or arteries from other parts of the body.
This 'beating heart' surgery does not use any heart-lung bypass machine. Unlike on-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery, surgeons perform this procedure without stopping the heart. They use specialised equipment to stabilise the operating portion while performing these types of CABG surgery. However, this surgery is not for every patient or doctor. Special training and experience are required to perform this type of CABG.
This coronary artery bypass graft surgery involves small incisions instead of large or splitting of your rib cage and sternum. Surgeons mostly use this technique for bypassing a single artery, especially the left anterior descending artery.
Surgical robots are advanced tools that help surgeons perform the coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Surgeons use robotic-assisted instruments to perform the bypass graft through tiny incisions. These CABG surgery steps involve on-pump or off-pump technique but reduces recovery time and minimizes scarring.
The hybrid technique is a mixture of coronary artery bypass graft surgery with other approaches. This technique usually involves robotic CABG for one artery and non-CABG for the remaining blood vessels.
The restoration after the Coronary Artery Bypass Graft surgery depends on the procedure type performed and individualised factors. If you wonder about CABG surgery, how long does it take? It can take several weeks and even months, depending on the procedure and your healing ability. However, you may experience:
After the surgery, you have to spend at least 8 to 12 days in the hospital. For the first two or three days, your healthcare providers will monitor you in the intensive care unit. It may take longer for patients who have CABG due to a heart attack.
Before you get discharge from the hospital, you will also complete a cardiac rehabilitation program. This will help you understand the recovery process through monitored exercises and healthy lifestyle education.
You may experience unusual heartbeats after coronary artery bypass grafting, but fortunately, it's a temporary concern. Taking medication to control blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood clots can help reduce the risk of complications.
Light activities like walking are very important after the surgery. They improve blood circulation. However, it would be best to avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activities for at least six to twelve weeks.
Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery in India offers a practical and life-saving solution for patients with severe coronary disease. India's emergence as a global hub has been evident in providing world-class medical facilities to patients worldwide. Highly skilled coronary artery surgeons, advanced technology, and comprehensive care are available in leading hospitals across India. So, your journey to a healthier heart can be completed within your budget, while you can experience the best cardiac care in India.
VPS Lakeshore Hospital 
Nanavati Max Hospital, Mumbai 
TX Hospitals, Hyderabad 
Aster MIMS Hospital, Calicut 
Kinder Hospitals, Kochi 
Amrita Hospitals 
Max Hospital, Saket 
Fortis Memorial Research Institute 
Dr. Aseem R. Srivastava 
Dr. D. K. Jhamb 
Dr. Amit Kumar Chaurasia 
Dr. Krishna Subramony Iyer 
Dr. Ravi Prakash 
Dr. Viveka Kumar 
Dr. Rajiv Agarwal 
Dr. Ramji Mehrotra 
Dr. Atul Mathur 
Dr. K R Balakrishnan 
Dr. Ashutosh Marwah 
Dr. Ajay Kaul 
