Heart disease remains a leading cause of death worldwide, claiming over 17 million lives each year, according to the World Health Organization. However, with timely intervention and access to advanced medical care, countless lives can be saved.
In response to this global need, India has become a leading destination for advanced cardiovascular care, offering world-class medical facilities and highly skilled surgeons at a fraction of the cost compared to Western countries.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most common cardiovascular surgeries available in India, estimated costs, key factors to consider when exploring cardiac care options in India, and what you can expect during your treatment journey.
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Cardiovascular surgeries are life-saving procedures designed to address critical issues with the heart and blood vessels. These surgeries aim to improve heart function, relieve symptoms, and significantly enhance the overall quality of life for patients.
Furthermore, these procedures span a wide range of techniques, from minimally invasive interventions to complex open-heart surgeries, to treat conditions like coronary artery disease, heart valve disorders, arrhythmias, and more.
In addition, modern cardiovascular surgery leverages cutting-edge technology, including minimally invasive methods and robotic-assisted techniques, to ensure precise and effective outcomes.
For patients seeking world-class cardiovascular care, India stands out as a top destination, offering renowned medical facilities and skilled surgeons at an affordable cost.
Let’s delve into the detailed types of cardiovascular surgeries performed in India, including the procedures, recovery time, and estimated costs.
Coronary artery disease (CAD) occurs when blood flow to the heart is restricted due to narrowed or blocked arteries, typically caused by the buildup of plaque (atherosclerosis).
Common risk factors include smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, and family history.
CAD can lead to symptoms such as chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, and even a heart attack. To address these symptoms and improve heart health, various surgical and minimally invasive interventions are available.
Moreover, lifestyle modifications, such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, and smoking cessation, are crucial for managing CAD and improving overall heart health.
Here are the primary types of Coronary Artery Disease Surgeries:
CABG is a traditional open-heart surgery (commonly called as Heart Bypass Surgery) for severe coronary artery blockages. It involves grafting a healthy blood vessel, typically taken from the patient’s leg, arm, or chest, to bypass the blocked artery and improve blood flow to the heart.
Types:
There are two types of CABG:
Recovery Time: Recovery typically takes 6-12 weeks, depending on the patient’s overall health, age, and adherence to post-operative care.
MIDCAB, also known as Keyhole Heart Bypass Surgery is an advanced bypass surgery performed through smaller incisions, avoiding the need to open the chest fully. This approach is ideal for patients with limited blockages and offers reduced trauma and a quicker recovery.
As a result, patients generally recover in 4-6 weeks, with less post-operative pain and scarring compared to traditional CABG.
PCI, commonly known as angioplasty, or Stent Placement, or Balloon Angioplasty, is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a balloon catheter to widen a blocked artery. A stent (a small mesh tube) is then placed to keep the artery open.
Importantly, modern stents are often drug-eluting to reduce the risk of restenosis (renarrowing of the artery). PCI is frequently used for less severe blockages or as an emergency treatment during a heart attack.
Recovery Time: Most patients can return to normal activities within 1-2 days, making it one of the least invasive and quickest solutions for CAD.
Successful recovery from any CAD procedure involves close follow-up with the physician, adherence to medication regimens, and participation in cardiac rehabilitation programs.
Heart valve diseases arise when the heart valves malfunction, either by not opening fully (stenosis) or by not closing completely (regurgitation), disrupting the normal flow of blood.
Left untreated, these conditions can lead to serious complications, such as heart failure, stroke, and even death.
Fortunately, advancements in medical technology have enabled a range of treatment options for heart valve diseases, from traditional surgeries to cutting-edge minimally invasive techniques.
Here are the main types of procedures for heart valve conditions:
Heart valve surgery may involve repairing or replacing damaged heart valves. Surgeons may opt for mechanical valves or biological valves (from animal tissue or donated human valves) depending on the patient’s condition.
Recovery Time: Recovery typically takes 4-8 weeks, depending on the type of valve surgery and the patient’s overall health.
Types of Valve Surgery:
This less invasive approach involves smaller incisions to repair or replace heart valves, reducing surgical trauma and recovery time. Thus, it is ideal for patients who may not be candidates for traditional open-heart surgery.
Recovery Time: Patients usually recover within 2-4 weeks, benefiting from quicker healing and less post-operative discomfort.
A catheter with a balloon at the tip is guided into the narrowed valve. The balloon is inflated to widen the valve and improve blood flow. This procedure is commonly used for mitral and aortic stenosis, especially in high-risk patients.
Recovery Time: Patients typically recover in 1-2 days, making it a fast and minimally invasive option.
TAVR replaces a diseased aortic valve using a catheter inserted through a blood vessel, eliminating the need for open-heart surgery. This is particularly beneficial for patients with severe aortic stenosis who are at high surgical risk.
Recovery Time: Recovery generally takes 2-3 days, offering a shorter hospital stay and faster return to daily activities.
TMVR uses a catheter to repair a leaky mitral valve, improving blood flow and heart function without requiring open-heart surgery.
Recovery Time: Patients usually recover in 2-3 days, experiencing minimal post-operative discomfort.
The MitraClip device is guided to the mitral valve through a catheter, where it clips the edges of the valve together to reduce regurgitation. This innovative procedure is often used for high-risk patients.
Recovery Time: Recovery typically takes 1-2 days, making it one of the quickest options for mitral valve repair.
Note: The most appropriate treatment approach depends on various factors, including the type and severity of the valve disorder, the patient’s overall health, and the surgeon’s expertise.
Arrhythmias, also known as irregular heartbeats, occur when the heart’s electrical signals malfunction, causing the heart to beat too fast, too slow, or irregularly.
Here are some common types of arrhythmias:
Left untreated, certain arrhythmias can lead to serious complications such as stroke, heart failure, and sudden cardiac arrest.
To address these rhythm disturbances, various procedures are available:
Destroys abnormal heart tissue that triggers arrhythmias. Ablation therapy can be performed using radiofrequency energy, cryotherapy (cold), or laser energy.
This therapy is generally safe and effective, but potential risks include bleeding, infection, and damage to nearby structures.
Recovery Time: 1-2 days
Implants a small electronic device under the skin to regulate the heartbeat. Pacemakers can be single-chamber, dual-chamber, or biventricular, depending on the specific needs of the patient.
Types of Pacemakers:
There are three types of pacemakers:
Recovery Time:
An Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) is a small, implantable device that monitors the heart’s rhythm and delivers an electric shock to restore a normal heartbeat if a life-threatening arrhythmia occurs.
ICDs are implanted in patients at high risk of sudden cardiac arrest, such as those who have:
ICDs can significantly reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death and improve overall survival for patients at high risk of life-threatening arrhythmias.
Recovery Time:
Congenital heart defects are structural abnormalities in the heart that are present at birth. These defects can range from mild to severe, and in some cases, may not require immediate surgical intervention.
However, many defects necessitate surgical correction to improve heart function, prevent complications, and ensure optimal long-term health.
This surgery is used to treat hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a condition where the heart muscle thickens, obstructing blood flow.
Septal myectomy involves the removal of a portion of the thickened heart muscle to improve the heart’s ability to pump blood.
Recovery Time: 2-4 weeks.
Recovery Time:
An aortic aneurysm occurs when a section of the aorta, the body’s largest blood vessel, weakens and begins to bulge outward.
Early detection and treatment of aortic aneurysms are crucial to prevent life-threatening complications such as rupture, which can lead to severe internal bleeding.
Aortic aneurysm repair involves surgical procedures to treat a weakened or bulging area in the aorta, the body’s main blood vessel.
There are two primary surgical approaches to aortic aneurysm repair:
Recovery Time:
Encompasses a range of surgical procedures on the aorta, including:
Recovery Time: Varies significantly depending on the specific procedure and the patient’s overall health. Recovery times can range from several weeks to several months.
Peripheral vascular and artery procedures are essential for restoring blood flow when arteries outside the heart become narrowed or blocked, often due to plaque buildup (atherosclerosis).
If left untreated, these blockages can lead to severe complications, including strokes, limb ischemia (reduced blood flow to limbs), and organ damage.
Timely interventions not only prevent life-threatening outcomes but also significantly improve circulation and enhance quality of life.
Carotid endarterectomy is a critical surgical procedure designed to remove plaque buildup from the carotid arteries, which supply blood to the brain.
This procedure is especially important for patients with significant carotid artery narrowing (stenosis) to reduce the risk of stroke.
Peripheral artery bypass grafting is a procedure that creates a new pathway to bypass blocked or narrowed peripheral arteries in the legs or arms.
This is achieved by using a healthy blood vessel from another part of the body or a synthetic graft.
Potential Risks and Complications
As with any surgical procedure, there are potential risks, including:
Heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to pump blood effectively, leading to inadequate circulation of oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. In severe cases, surgical procedures or devices may be necessary to assist the heart in performing its essential functions.
A heart transplant involves replacing a failing or diseased heart with a healthy donor heart.
This complex surgical procedure is typically considered as a last resort when other treatments have failed, and the patient’s heart can no longer sustain life.
Recovery Time: Recovery from a heart transplant typically takes several months. Patients require intensive monitoring and post-operative care to prevent organ rejection and manage potential complications.
An LVAD is a mechanical pump designed to assist the left ventricle (the heart’s primary pumping chamber) in circulating blood throughout the body.
This device is often used as a bridge to a heart transplant or as long-term support for patients who are not candidates for a transplant. LVADs can significantly improve the quality of life for some patients.
Recovery Time: Recovery typically takes several weeks, with patients needing to adjust to life with the device, which includes managing the pump and its associated equipment.
A TAH is a mechanical device that replaces the entire heart, used in patients with end-stage heart failure who are not eligible for a heart transplant.
This is a complex and experimental procedure that takes over both the pumping function of the heart and its role in maintaining circulation.
Recovery Time: Recovery time varies depending on the patient’s condition, the procedure, and how well the patient adapts to the artificial heart.
A heart-lung machine temporarily takes over the functions of the heart and lungs during surgery, allowing the surgeon to operate on the heart while maintaining circulation and oxygenation.
Recovery Time: Since the heart-lung machine is used during surgery, there is no recovery time specifically related to the machine. However, the patient will require standard post-surgical recovery based on the heart procedure performed.
Endocarditis and heart tumors are serious conditions that can affect the heart’s function.
Endocarditis, an infection of the heart’s inner lining, and heart tumors, whether benign or malignant, often require surgical intervention to prevent further complications.
Endocarditis is an infection of the heart’s inner lining. This infection can damage the heart valves and other structures, potentially leading to serious complications such as heart failure or stroke.
In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to remove infected tissue, repair damaged heart valves, or drain abscesses.
Recovery Time: Recovery time varies depending on the severity of the infection and the extent of the surgery. It can range from a few weeks to several months, depending on the patient’s overall health and response to treatment.
This surgery involves the removal of benign or malignant tumors from the heart.
Tumors can grow in various locations within the heart, and surgery is necessary to remove them to prevent interference with heart function or the spread of cancer.
The specific surgical approach will depend on the location and size of the tumor. In some cases, minimally invasive techniques may be used.
Recovery Time: Recovery time varies depending on the tumor’s size, location, and whether it is benign or malignant.
In general, recovery can take anywhere from several weeks to a few months, depending on the complexity of the surgery and the patient’s health condition.
Minimally invasive cardiac surgeries are designed to treat heart conditions through smaller incisions, resulting in faster recovery times and reduced risk compared to traditional open-heart surgeries. These procedures can address various structural heart defects and other heart-related issues.
Structural heart disease interventions treat defects like atrial septal defect (ASD) and ventricular septal defect (VSD), which involve abnormal openings in the heart’s chambers.
These conditions can be corrected using minimally invasive techniques such as catheter-based approaches or device implantation, avoiding the need for open-heart surgery.
Recovery typically takes 1-2 days, with patients often able to resume normal activities much faster than traditional surgical approaches.
India is a leading destination for affordable, high-quality heart surgeries, thanks to its favorable economic conditions, efficient healthcare system, and strategic decisions to improve care standards. These factors combine to make cardiovascular surgeries in India both cost-effective and world-class.
The table below compares the typical costs of heart surgeries in India with those in Western countries, showing significant savings without compromising on quality.
Procedure | India (USD) | USA (USD) | Thailand (USD) | Mexico (USD) | Malaysia (USD) | Turkey (USD) | UAE (USD) | UK (USD) | Japan (USD) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CABG | 5,000-15,000 | 70,000-200,000 | 15,000-30,000 | 20,000-50,000 | 10,000-25,000 | 12,000-30,000 | 30,000-80,000 | 40,000-100,000 | 50,000-120,000 |
MIDCAB | 8,000-20,000 | 50,000-150,000 | 18,000-40,000 | 25,000-60,000 | 12,000-30,000 | 15,000-40,000 | 40,000-100,000 | 50,000-120,000 | 60,000-150,000 |
PCI | 1,500-5,000 | 20,000-60,000 | 5,000-15,000 | 8,000-25,000 | 5,000-15,000 | 6,000-20,000 | 15,000-40,000 | 15,000-40,000 | 20,000-50,000 |
Heart Valve Surgery | 5,000-20,000 | 100,000-300,000 | 15,000-40,000 | 25,000-75,000 | 10,000-30,000 | 15,000-45,000 | 40,000-120,000 | 50,000-150,000 | 60,000-150,000 |
Valve Surgery | 5,000-20,000 | 100,000-300,000 | 15,000-40,000 | 25,000-75,000 | 10,000-30,000 | 15,000-45,000 | 40,000-120,000 | 50,000-150,000 | 60,000-150,000 |
Mitral Valve Surgery | 5,000-20,000 | 100,000-300,000 | 15,000-40,000 | 25,000-75,000 | 10,000-30,000 | 15,000-45,000 | 40,000-120,000 | 50,000-150,000 | 60,000-150,000 |
Tricuspid Valve Surgery | 5,000-20,000 | 100,000-300,000 | 15,000-40,000 | 25,000-75,000 | 10,000-30,000 | 15,000-45,000 | 40,000-120,000 | 50,000-150,000 | 60,000-150,000 |
Pulmonary Valve Surgery | 5,000-20,000 | 100,000-300,000 | 15,000-40,000 | 25,000-75,000 | 10,000-30,000 | 15,000-45,000 | 40,000-120,000 | 50,000-150,000 | 60,000-150,000 |
Minimally Invasive Valve Surgery | 8,000-25,000 | 50,000-150,000 | 20,000-50,000 | 30,000-80,000 | 15,000-40,000 | 20,000-60,000 | 50,000-150,000 | 60,000-180,000 | 80,000-200,000 |
Balloon Valvuloplasty | 2,000-8,000 | 20,000-60,000 | 5,000-15,000 | 10,000-30,000 | 5,000-15,000 | 8,000-25,000 | 20,000-60,000 | 25,000-75,000 | 30,000-80,000 |
TAVR | 10,000-30,000 | 50,000-150,000 | 20,000-50,000 | 30,000-80,000 | 15,000-40,000 | 20,000-60,000 | 50,000-150,000 | 60,000-180,000 | 80,000-200,000 |
TMVR | 12,000-35,000 | 60,000-180,000 | 25,000-60,000 | 35,000-90,000 | 20,000-50,000 | 25,000-75,000 | 60,000-180,000 | 70,000-210,000 | 90,000-250,000 |
MitraClip | 10,000-30,000 | 50,000-150,000 | 20,000-50,000 | 30,000-80,000 | 15,000-40,000 | 20,000-60,000 | 50,000-150,000 | 60,000-180,000 | 80,000-200,000 |
Ablation Therapy | 1,000-5,000 | 15,000-40,000 | 3,000-10,000 | 5,000-15,000 | 3,000-10,000 | 4,000-15,000 | 10,000-30,000 | 10,000-30,000 | 15,000-40,000 |
Pacemaker Implantation | 1,000-3,000 | 10,000-30,000 | 3,000-10,000 | 5,000-15,000 | 3,000-10,000 | 4,000-15,000 | 10,000-30,000 | 10,000-30,000 | 15,000-40,000 |
ICD | 2,000-5,000 | 20,000-50,000 | 5,000-15,000 | 10,000-30,000 | 5,000-15,000 | 7,000-25,000 | 20,000-60,000 | 20,000-50,000 | 30,000-70,000 |
Septal Myectomy/Myotomy | 5,000-15,000 | 50,000-150,000 | 15,000-40,000 | 25,000-75,000 | 10,000-30,000 | 15,000-45,000 | 40,000-120,000 | 50,000-150,000 | 60,000-150,000 |
ASD Repair | 3,000-10,000 | 20,000-60,000 | 8,000-25,000 | 12,000-35,000 | 5,000-15,000 | 8,000-25,000 | 20,000-60,000 | 25,000-75,000 | 30,000-80,000 |
VSD Repair | 3,000-12,000 | 20,000-60,000 | 8,000-25,000 | 12,000-35,000 | 5,000-15,000 | 8,000-25,000 | 20,000-60,000 | 25,000-75,000 | 30,000-80,000 |
PDA Ligation | 2,000-8,000 | 15,000-40,000 | 5,000-15,000 | 8,000-25,000 | 3,000-10,000 | 5,000-15,000 | 15,000-40,000 | 20,000-60,000 | 25,000-70,000 |
Tetralogy of Fallot Repair | 5,000-20,000 | 50,000-150,000 | 15,000-40,000 | 25,000-75,000 | 10,000-30,000 | 15,000-45,000 | 40,000-120,000 | 50,000-150,000 | 60,000-150,000 |
Aortic Aneurysm Repair | 5,000-20,000 | 50,000-150,000 | 15,000-40,000 | 25,000-75,000 | 10,000-30,000 | 15,000-45,000 | 40,000-120,000 | 50,000-150,000 | 60,000-150,000 |
Aortic Surgery | 5,000-20,000 | 50,000-150,000 | 15,000-40,000 | 25,000-75,000 | 10,000-30,000 | 15,000-45,000 | 40,000-120,000 | 50,000-150,000 | 60,000-150,000 |
Carotid Endarterectomy | 2,000-8,000 | 15,000-40,000 | 5,000-15,000 | 8,000-25,000 | 3,000-10,000 | 5,000-15,000 | 15,000-40,000 | 20,000-60,000 | 25,000-70,000 |
Peripheral Artery Bypass Grafting | 5,000-15,000 | 30,000-90,000 | 10,000-30,000 | 15,000-45,000 | 8,000-25,000 | 10,000-30,000 | 30,000-90,000 | 40,000-120,000 | 50,000-150,000 |
Heart Transplantation | 20,000-50,000 | 200,000-500,000 | 50,000-150,000 | 80,000-250,000 | 40,000-100,000 | 60,000-180,000 | 150,000-400,000 | 150,000-400,000 | 200,000-500,000 |
LVAD | 15,000-40,000 | 100,000-300,000 | 30,000-80,000 | 50,000-150,000 | 20,000-60,000 | 30,000-90,000 | 80,000-250,000 | 100,000-300,000 | 120,000-350,000 |
RVAD | 10,000-30,000 | 80,000-250,000 | 20,000-60,000 | 30,000-90,000 | 15,000-45,000 | 20,000-60,000 | 60,000-180,000 | 80,000-240,000 | 100,000-300,000 |
BIVAD | 20,000-50,000 | 150,000-450,000 | 40,000-120,000 | 60,000-180,000 | 30,000-90,000 | 40,000-120,000 | 120,000-360,000 | 150,000-450,000 | 180,000-540,000 |
TAH | 30,000-80,000 | 500,000-1,500,000 | 80,000-250,000 | 120,000-360,000 | 50,000-150,000 | 70,000-210,000 | 200,000-600,000 | 250,000-750,000 | 300,000-900,000 |
Endocarditis Surgery | 5,000-20,000 | 50,000-150,000 | 15,000-40,000 | 25,000-75,000 | 10,000-30,000 | 15,000-45,000 | 40,000-120,000 | 50,000-150,000 | 60,000-150,000 |
Cardiac Tumor Removal Surgery | 5,000-20,000 | 50,000-150,000 | 15,000-40,000 | 25,000-75,000 | 10,000-30,000 | 15,000-45,000 | 40,000-120,000 | 50,000-150,000 | 60,000-150,000 |
Structural Heart Disease Interventions | 5,000-20,000 | 20,000-60,000 | 10,000-30,000 | 15,000-45,000 | 8,000-25,000 | 10,000-30,000 | 30,000-90,000 | 40,000-120,000 | 50,000-150,000 |
Here are the key factors that make heart surgeries in India more affordable:
The overall operational costs for hospitals, including facility maintenance, utilities, and staff salaries, are lower in India compared to Western countries.
India boasts a vast number of highly trained doctors, surgeons, and healthcare staff, many of whom have international qualifications and experience. The availability of this skilled workforce ensures world-class care at reduced costs.
As a leading producer of generic drugs, India provides medications at a fraction of the cost of brand-name alternatives. Similarly, locally manufactured medical equipment contributes to lower treatment costs without compromising quality.
In some cases, regulatory costs may be lower in India, allowing for more affordable treatment options. However, the healthcare system is also a mix of private and public services, with varying levels of regulation.
India’s healthcare sector is highly competitive, with numerous private hospitals and clinics striving to offer cost-effective and high-quality care. This competition drives innovation and affordability.
For international patients, the currency exchange rate makes medical treatments in India significantly more economical than in countries like the USA or the UK.
India’s large population and the high volume of procedures performed enable hospitals to spread their fixed costs over a larger number of patients, resulting in lower per-patient expenses.
India’s healthcare system often prioritizes affordability and accessibility, ensuring services cater to a wide range of economic backgrounds.
Heart disease is a global concern, and while advancements in medical technology offer incredible hope, the cost of treatment can be a significant burden.
This is where India emerges as a compelling option for many seeking high-quality cardiovascular care at a fraction of the cost.
Learn more about why India is a top choice for medical tourism.(Hyperlink to services page)
At Cikista, we offer end-to-end services to ensure your medical tourism journey is seamless, from the first consultation to your recovery and return. Here’s how we make your healthcare experience in India stress-free:
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Heart surgery in India typically costs between ₹1.5 lakhs to ₹12 lakhs (approximately $2,000 to $15,000 USD), depending on the type of procedure and hospital. This is up to 70% less than what you would pay for similar surgeries in Western countries, without compromising quality.
India has emerged as a top destination for cardiovascular surgeries, offering high-quality care at a fraction of the cost compared to Western countries. With experienced surgeons, cutting-edge medical technology, and internationally accredited hospitals, India ensures both safety and affordability for international patients seeking heart treatment.
Cikista stands as a trusted partner in your medical tourism journey, guiding you through every step of the process, from consultation to post-treatment care. Our personalized services make your treatment seamless, ensuring you receive the best care possible.
Reach out to Cikista today for safe, affordable, and world-class cardiovascular treatment in India. Let us help you take the first step toward a healthier future.
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