Though its results often are excellent, heart surgery does have some risks. Risks may include:
- Bleeding
- Infection, fever, swelling and other signs of inflammation
- A reaction to anesthesia
- Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats)
- Damage to tissues in the heart, kidneys, liver, and lungs
- Stroke, which may cause short-term or permanent damage
- Death (More likely to occur in people who are very sick before the surgery)
In general, the risk of complications is higher if heart surgery is done in an emergency situation (for example, during a heart attack). The risk also is higher if you have other underlying diseases or conditions, such as diabetes, kidney disease, lung disease, or peripheral arterial disease. Your cardiac specialists at Tenet Florida Physician Services will go over the potential risks with you and help determine the course of treatment that’s best for you.