Shunting - myths and truth

Operation by shunting is that bypassing the narrowed part of the blood vessel, a so-called "shunt" is created, so that the blood flow through the affected one or another disease of the artery is restored. As a rule, shunting is used in coronary heart disease. It should be noted that the opportunity to undergo the procedure of aortocoronary shunting (CABG) appeared recently among our fellow citizens, and, to tell the truth, not all of them. CABG is surrounded by many myths, some of which we will now try to dispel.

Myth one - "the heart can not stand it!". However, in reality it is fear. Yes, fear, by and large, is the main problem for anyone who has CABG. It is possible to cope with fear with the help of desire if not forever, then at least for a long, long time to forget about the pain in the heart, which, incidentally, often makes the patient decide on the operation.

Myth of the second. After operation requires increased caution. In a sense, of course, this is so, but only within the bounds of common sense. In fact, it is usually already on the first day after the operation that the doctor warns about the danger of low mobility, namely, the possibility of complications, to pneumonia - pneumonia. The operated one can immediately start learning to turn in bed, sit down, move, after-shunt rehabilitation begins with this ... In the end, for that, shunts are also set so that the patient can live without pain.

Myth three. Pain can return, heart bypass surgery may be in vain. Well, in a certain sense, this myth - and not a myth at all. Yes, CABG is not a panacea. According to statistics, not all patients even after the transferred CABG get rid of angina pectoris. This, however, is not surprising, because no matter how well the operation was performed, it is just one of many stages of treating ischemic heart disease. In addition, physicians to date have not yet learned to clear the blood vessels of the heart from atherosclerotic plaques, the main cause of the disease. It is in this regard, even after a successful operation, approximately half of patients may have angina pectoris. But - the number of both seizures and taken tablets is significantly reduced. So, by and large, the patient's quality of life will definitely improve and, most importantly, there will be a non-illusory opportunity to delay the onset of myocardial infarction, more simply to prolong life.

Myth four. After CABG, you can live as before. Oh, if ... in fact, after the operation, you should minimize your hands and shoulder girdle. It is necessary to limit the lifting of weights and to abandon a number of orchard-and-garden works.

Myth five. After the operation, smoking does not affect the heart so much. Believe it in no case it is impossible! Refusal to smoke gives shunts at least a few years of additional work, and in fact it, on average, is only 5-7 years!

Myth of the sixth. Moved CABG - you can live without drugs. This myth is seriously dangerous! Patients who undergone CABG should not stop taking medication in principle! Drugs that are prescribed after shunting are vital! In particular, drugs that reduce blood clotting reduce the risk of closing the shunts with blood clots . Preparations from the group of beta-blockers are necessary to reduce excessive cardiac work, which reduces blood pressure and reduces heart rate. Postponed shunting means that from now on, when making any decisions regarding your health, you will need to consult a cardiologist.