Surgical procedures for a heart attack

Coronary angioplasty, percutaneous coronary intervention or stents

This procedure uses a tiny balloon to widen your narrowed arteries. It’s often carried out at the same time as a coronary angiogram. A long tube (catheter) with a tiny balloon on the end is put into an artery in your groin, arm or wrist. It’s guided up into the heart’s artery. The balloon is blown up at the narrowed part of your artery. The cardiologist inserts a small mesh tube (stent) to keep the artery open after the catheter is removed.

Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG)

This type of surgery also improves blood flow to the heart. A healthy blood vessel (or more than one) is taken from your chest, leg or arm, and attached (grafted) to each side of your blocked artery. This lets blood go around or ‘bypass’ the blockage.

You will usually stay in hospital for two to five days after a heart attack, depending on what treatment/s you have had and how well you begin to recover.

Life after a heart attack

A heart attack can be a terrifying experience. It’s normal to be worried about your recovery and future. But you’re not alone. Around 150 Australians are admitted to hospital for a heart attack each day.

Many people make a full recovery and return to their normal activities. Cardiac rehabilitation is an excellent way to recover from a heart attack, manage your risk factors and return to live a full and active life.

Having one heart attack increases your risk of having another. It’s good to know that this risk is greatly reduced with the correct treatment and management. After a heart attack, your healthcare team will help you learn how to manage your heart health for life.