Heart Surgery in India for International Patients: A Complete Guide

When a doctor tells you that you may need heart surgery, the first question is often medical: What procedure do I need? But for an international patient, another question quickly follows: Where should I go for heart surgery? Most patients need to choose a country, a hospital, and a specialist far from home. Many patients choose heart surgery in India over many other Western countries and their home countries due to several reasons. This means understanding the procedure itself, comparing treatment costs, checking hospital credentials, arranging medical records, planning travel, and knowing who will support you once you arrive, all become critical.

Let’s understand the common cardiac procedures, what affects treatment costs, famous heart surgery hospitals in India, and medical travel arrangements available in India.

“Heart surgery” is a broad term. The right procedure depends on the patient’s condition and other treatment requirements. Based on the diagnosis, treatment may include:

• Open Heart Surgery: This surgery refers to procedures that involve opening the chest to provide direct access to the heart for treatment. It is commonly associated with operations such as coronary artery bypass surgery and some valve repairs or replacements. The hospital stay varies according to the procedure and the patient's recovery. For major cardiac surgery, a stay of around five to seven days is common, although some patients need longer monitoring. Recovery at home takes considerably longer than the hospital stay. 

• CABG or Bypass Surgery: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is used to improve blood flow to the heart when coronary arteries have become narrowed or blocked. During the operation, healthy blood vessels from another part of the body are used to create a route around the blocked artery. A typical hospital stay is around a week. Full recovery can take approximately two to three months. 

• Angioplasty and Stenting: This is a minimally invasive method to open clogged blood vessels. Instead of creating a new blood-flow route surgically, a catheter is used to reach the narrowed coronary artery. For a planned, uncomplicated angioplasty, many patients can leave the hospital the same day or the following day. Recovery is generally much shorter than recovery from open heart surgery, although the appropriate timeline depends on the patient's condition and whether the procedure was performed after an emergency such as a heart attack. 

• Valve Repair and Replacement: Heart valve disease can sometimes be treated by repairing the existing valve. In other cases, the damaged valve needs to be replaced. The approach may involve conventional surgery, minimally invasive surgery, or a catheter-based procedure such as TAVI, depending on the valve problem and the patient's individual circumstances. 

• Pacemaker Implantation: A pacemaker is a small device placed under the skin near the collarbone to help control an abnormal heartbeat. It may be recommended for certain conditions, including heart block and some forms of slow heart rate. A standard pacemaker procedure usually takes about an hour, and patients commonly stay in hospital overnight for observation. The wound may take days to heal, while restrictions on heavy lifting and vigorous activity can continue for several weeks. 

• Paediatric and Congenital Cardiac Surgery: This surgery treats heart defects present at birth or diagnosed during childhood. Common procedures include ASD/VSD closure, tetralogy of Fallot repair, and PDA closure. The procedure and recovery time depend on the child’s condition and the complexity of the surgery. Paediatric cardiac care is also a significant category among patients travelling from Africa to India for treatment. 

The cost of cardiac surgery in India cannot be reduced to a single standard figure. Two patients undergoing the same procedure may still face different costs. The final cost may vary based on factors such as the type of cardiac procedure, complexity of the patient’s condition, surgeon and specialist team involved, the hospital selected, ICU requirements, diagnostic tests and pre-operative evaluation, length of hospitalisation, and rehabilitation requirements. For international patients, there may also be non-medical expenses such as flights, accommodation, local transportation, and other travel-related costs. Despite these additional expenses, the overall cost of treatment in India can still be lower than the cost in their home country, while providing access to highly experienced cardiac specialists.

Finding the right cardiac hospital is not limited to choosing one facility. Through its network of 17+ hospital chains and 360+ clinical facilities across India, PrymaCare Tourismo can help international patients explore suitable cardiac care options based on their treatment needs, preferred location, hospital facilities, and specialist availability.

This gives patients access to cardiac care options across major cities, including Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata, rather than limiting their choice to a single hospital.

Some of the most prominent hospitals are;

1. Medanta - The Medicity, Gurugram

Located in Gurugram in the Delhi-NCR region, Medanta is one of the top hospitals for cardiology care. It can be considered for patients whose cases require evaluation by a cardiac team within a multispecialty hospital setting.

2. Apollo Hospital, Navi Mumbai

Apollo Hospital in Navi Mumbai is another popular hospital. Its location in Mumbai makes it an option for international patients considering treatment in western India.

3. Fortis Flt Lt Rajan Dhall Hospital, New Delhi

Fortis Flt Lt Rajan Dhall Hospital in New Delhi has a Center of Excellence in Cardiac Science and has NABH accreditation. Its cardiac services include surgical and interventional care.

4. Artemis Hospital, Gurugram

Artemis Hospital in Gurugram is another option for international patients seeking trusted cardiac surgery in India within the Delhi-NCR region.

5. CMRI, Kolkata

The Calcutta Medical Research Institute (CMRI) in Kolkata is also a reliable choice. Its hospital profile highlights cardiac catheterisation laboratories, critical care facilities, and cardiac services.

For international patients, travelling to another country for heart surgery in India can be difficult to manage while dealing with a serious heart condition. Finding the right cardiac surgeon, comparing hospitals and treatment costs, arranging a medical visa, and planning accommodation and local travel can quickly become overwhelming. PrymaCare Tourismo helps simplify this process by coordinating these essential aspects of your medical journey in India. As a medical tourism company offering dedicated international patient services, PrymaCare Tourismo helps you explore suitable cardiac specialists and hospitals, and obtain multiple treatment quotations on official hospital letterhead.

Once you decide on your treatment, your dedicated coordinator continues to assist with medical visa support, accommodation, local transportation, and hospital visits for you and your attendant. Treatment can be coordinated with reliable hospitals within PrymaCare's network, including JCI- and NABH-accredited facilities. From admission and discharge to follow-up consultations with your treating cardiologist after you return home, PrymaCare stays involved throughout the journey, with completely free-of-cost charges to the patients.

Choosing heart surgery in India is ultimately about finding care that fits your medical needs, not simply choosing the lowest-cost option. The procedure required, the expertise of the cardiac team, hospital facilities, expected recovery, and the overall treatment plan all deserve consideration before you make a decision. For international patients, having clear information and reliable guidance can make that decision considerably easier. Your treatment journey should feel organised, transparent, and centred on your care. PrymaCare Tourismo helps international patients make that journey easier by connecting them with suitable hospitals and specialists while supporting the practical aspects of receiving treatment in India. Overall, with the right care and support in place, international patients can approach their treatment journey with greater clarity and focus on their health and recovery.

Talk to our medical coordinator today and get reliable, complete treatment assistance in India.