FAQs
Dr. Ganesh Shivnani is a senior and highly experienced cardiac surgeon with decades of expertise in coronary bypass surgery, valve repair, and valve replacement. He serves as the Chairperson – Cardiac Surgery at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, and is internationally recognized for his contributions to advanced cardiac care.
Heart surgery refers to surgical procedures performed to treat diseases of the heart valves, coronary arteries, or heart muscle. Common heart surgeries include coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), valve repair, and valve replacement surgery.
Yes. With modern technology, advanced surgical techniques, and experienced cardiac surgeons, heart surgery is highly safe. Outcomes depend on factors such as the patient’s condition, age, associated illnesses, and surgical expertise. Under expert care, success rates are very high.
The most commonly performed heart surgeries include:
- Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery (CABG)
- Heart Valve Repair Surgery
- Heart Valve Replacement Surgery
- Beating-heart (off-pump) bypass surgery
- Minimally invasive cardiac surgery
- Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery (CABG)
- Heart Valve Repair Surgery
- Heart Valve Replacement Surgery
- Beating-heart (off-pump) bypass surgery
- Minimally invasive cardiac surgery
CABG is a procedure that restores blood flow to the heart by bypassing blocked coronary arteries using healthy blood vessels from the chest, leg, or arm. It is recommended for patients with severe coronary artery disease or multiple arterial blockages
Valve Repair preserves the patient’s natural valve and is preferred when feasible.
- Valve Replacement involves replacing the damaged valve with a mechanical or tissue valve when repair is not possible.
- Valve repair usually offers better long-term heart function and avoids lifelong blood-thinning medication in many cases.
- Valve Replacement involves replacing the damaged valve with a mechanical or tissue valve when repair is not possible.
- Valve repair usually offers better long-term heart function and avoids lifelong blood-thinning medication in many cases.
- Open-heart and bypass surgeries usually take 3–6 hours
- Closed or minimally invasive procedures may take 2–3 hours
Duration depends on the complexity of the surgery.
- Closed or minimally invasive procedures may take 2–3 hours
Duration depends on the complexity of the surgery.
Most patients stay:
- 1–3 days in ICU
- 5–8 days in the hospital, depending on recovery and type of surgery
Patients are discharged only when it is medically safe to continue recovery at home.
- 1–3 days in ICU
- 5–8 days in the hospital, depending on recovery and type of surgery
Patients are discharged only when it is medically safe to continue recovery at home.
After surgery, patients are closely monitored in the Cardiac or Surgical ICU. Temporary support such as ventilators, drains, and monitoring lines are normal and gradually removed as recovery progresses.
Yes. Mild to moderate pain, chest discomfort, shoulder soreness, or numbness are common and temporary. Pain is well-controlled with medications and typically improves over a few weeks.
Complete recovery usually takes 4–6 weeks. Strength and stamina gradually improve with walking, breathing exercises, and physiotherapy. Most patients return to normal daily activities within this period.
Walking usually begins within 1–2 days after surgery under supervision. Gradual increase in walking distance is encouraged to improve heart strength and circulation.
Sedentary jobs: 4–6 weeks
Physically demanding jobs: 6 weeks or more
The exact timeline depends on individual recovery.
Physically demanding jobs: 6 weeks or more
The exact timeline depends on individual recovery.
- Sedentary jobs: 4–6 weeks
- Physically demanding jobs: 6 weeks or more
The exact timeline depends on individual recovery.
- Physically demanding jobs: 6 weeks or more
The exact timeline depends on individual recovery.
A heart-healthy diet is recommended:
- Low in saturated fat, salt, and cholesterol
- Rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins
- Avoid fried foods, processed foods, and sugary beverages
- Low in saturated fat, salt, and cholesterol
- Rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins
- Avoid fried foods, processed foods, and sugary beverages
Most patients require medications for blood pressure, cholesterol, and heart protection. Some valve replacement patients may need long-term blood thinners, depending on valve type.
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience:
- Fever or wound discharge
- Increasing breathlessness
- Rapid weight gain or leg swelling
- Irregular heartbeat
- Chest pain or dizziness
- Fever or wound discharge
- Increasing breathlessness
- Rapid weight gain or leg swelling
- Irregular heartbeat
- Chest pain or dizziness
Yes. Successful heart surgery significantly improves symptoms, physical capacity, quality of life, and long-term survival in patients with heart disease.
Patients choose Dr. Ganesh Shivnani for:
- Extensive experience in complex and high-risk cardiac surgeries
- Internationally recognized surgical outcomes
- Advanced techniques including off-pump bypass and valve repair
- Compassionate, patient-first approach
- World-class infrastructure at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi
- Extensive experience in complex and high-risk cardiac surgeries
- Internationally recognized surgical outcomes
- Advanced techniques including off-pump bypass and valve repair
- Compassionate, patient-first approach
- World-class infrastructure at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi
Consultations can be scheduled at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, through hospital appointments or referral from your cardiologist.