Cardiac Surgery in India — Cost, Types, Procedure & Best Hospitals

India has become a global leader in cardiac surgery, attracting thousands of international patients every year who seek advanced heart procedures at affordable prices. With world-class hospitals, internationally trained cardiac surgeons, cutting-edge technology, and exceptional success rates, India stands as one of the most preferred destinations for medical tourism—particularly for complex heart surgeries.
For many patients around the world, especially from Africa, the Middle East, Europe, South Asia, and the CIS region, cardiac surgery abroad is often expensive, delayed, or inaccessible. Long waiting lists, high treatment costs, and limited expertise push patients to search for better options. India has transformed into a trusted solution, offering high-quality care with cost savings of up to 60–80% compared to Western countries.
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about cardiac surgery in India—costs, types, procedures, recovery, top hospitals, surgeons, success rates, and travel guidance—designed especially for international patients

What Is Cardiac Surgery?

Cardiac surgery refers to a group of surgical procedures performed on the heart or major blood vessels to correct structural, functional, or electrical abnormalities. These procedures help restore normal heart function, improve blood flow, repair congenital defects, and prevent potentially fatal heart complications.
Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Conditions such as coronary artery disease, blocked arteries, valve disorders, and congenital defects often require surgical intervention when medications and non-invasive treatments fail. Cardiac surgery plays a critical role in saving lives, improving long-term survival, and enhancing the overall quality of life.

Why Patients Need Cardiac Surgery:

Patients typically require surgery for conditions such as:

• Severe coronary artery blockages
• Heart valve leakage or narrowing
• Congenital heart defects (ASD, VSD, TOF)
• Heart infections (endocarditis)
• Weak or failing heart muscle
• Aneurysm of the aorta
• Irregular heart rhythms needing surgical correction

Many of these conditions cannot be treated permanently with medicines alone. Cardiac surgery becomes the most effective and long-lasting treatment option

Types of Cardiac Procedures Include:

• Traditional open-heart surgery
• Minimally invasive heart surgery
• Robotic-assisted surgery
• Pediatric cardiac surgery
• Heart transplant

India excels in all major cardiac surgery disciplines due to advanced technology, skilled surgeons, and highly specialized cardiac centers

Why This Matters for International Patients 

For global patients—especially from regions with limited specialist availability or expensive cardiac care—India provides                                                                                              

• Reliable surgery that meets international medical standards
• Affordable treatment with transparent pricing
• World-class cardiologists trained in the US, UK, Europe, and Singapore
• Faster scheduling with minimal waiting time
• Holistic care including diagnostics, surgery, ICU stay, rehabilitation, and travel support 

Thus, cardiac surgery is not just a medical procedure—it is a life-saving decision that demands expertise, precision, and reliable healthcare systems, all of which India provides

Why Choose Cardiac Surgery in India?

India has gained global recognition as a premier destination for heart surgery. In fact, medical tourism data shows that more than 500,000 foreign patients visit India each year for advanced treatments, and cardiac procedures are among the top 3 most demanded Here is why India stands out:

Highly Experienced Cardiac Surgeons

India is home to some of the world’s most experienced cardiothoracic surgeons. Many have:

International patients consistently choose India because surgeons here handle a high volume of complex cases.

• Performed 10,000+ complex heart surgeries
• Received international training (UK, US, Germany, Singapore)
• Published research in global medical journals
• Expertise in minimally invasive and robotic surgeries

World-Class Cardiac Hospitals: 

Indian hospitals are equipped with next-generation cardiac facilities such as:

• 3D CT angiography
• Hybrid operating rooms
• Robotic surgical systems
• Minimally invasive tools
• Advanced ICU monitoring
• Dedicated pediatric cardiac units
• Cardiac rehabilitation programs

Hospitals like Medanta, Fortis, Apollo, Narayana Health, and Asian Heart Institute meet international healthcare standards (JCI & NABH accreditation).

Affordable Cardiac Surgery Cost in India

One of the biggest advantages for foreign patients is affordability.
For example:

• A heart bypass (CABG) in the US costs $70,000 – $150,000
• The same surgery in India costs $2,500 – $5,000

India provides world-class treatment at a fraction of global prices without compromising quality.

High Success Rates

Indian hospitals maintain a 92% – 98% success rate for cardiac surgeries, matching world-leading cardiac centers.
This is due to:

• Advanced diagnostic tools
• Highly skilled surgeons
• International protocols
• High patient volume
• Robust post-operative care

Easy Medical Travel & Faster Treatment

India offers :

• Quick medical visas
• No long waiting periods
• Dedicated international patient desks
• Translator service
• Affordable accommodation near hospitals

Foreign patients often receive surgery dates within 3–7 days, compared to months in Western countries.

Types of Cardiac Surgery in India

India offers every major cardiac procedure, from basic to highly complex cases. Here is a detailed breakdown of the most common surgeries:

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)

CABG, commonly known as bypass surgery, is performed to treat blocked coronary arteries. Blockages reduce blood flow to the heart muscle and can lead to life-threatening heart attacks.

How CABG Works:

Surgeons take a healthy blood vessel from another part of the body—usually the leg, chest wall, or arm—and create a new path for blood to bypass the blocked artery 

Types of CABG:

• On-pump CABG (uses heart-lung machine)
• Off-pump CABG (beating heart surgery)
• Minimally invasive CABG (small incisions, faster recovery)
• Arterial graft CABG (using internal mammary arteries)

Who Needs CABG?

• Severe coronary blockages
• Multi-vessel disease
• Diabetic patients with heart blockage
• Patients unfit for angioplasty

Benefits of CABG:

• Restores blood flow
• Reduces chest pain (angina)
• Prevents heart attacks
• Improves energy and quality of life

India is globally known for high-quality CABG procedures with affordable pricing

Heart Valve Replacement or Repair – 

Heart valves control blood flow between the heart chambers. Damaged valves can cause leakage or narrowing, affecting circulation and heart function

Types of Valve Diseases:

• Stenosis (narrowing)
• Regurgitation (leakage)
• Prolapse
• Congenital defects

Procedure Options:

• Valve Repair – Preserves natural tissue
• Valve Replacement
• Mechanical valve (long-lasting)
• Biological valve (tissue-based)

Techniques Used in India:

• Open-heart valve replacement
• Minimally invasive valve surgery
• Transcatheter procedures (TAVR/TVAR)

Indian hospitals are known for high-volume valve surgeries with excellent success rates.

 Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery (MICS) 

Minimally invasive surgery uses small chest incisions instead of cutting open the full breastbone.

Advantages:

• Less pain
• Small scars
• Reduced blood loss
• Faster recovery
• Shorter hospital stay

Common MICS Procedures:

• Minimally invasive CABG
• Valve repair/replacement
• ASD and VSD closure
• Maze procedure for arrhythmia

India is one of the top global destinations for minimally invasive cardiac surgery due to affordability and advanced technology.

Pediatric Cardiac Surgery

India is globally recognized for pediatric cardiac care. Children born with heart defects often require early surgical intervention

Common Pediatric Surgeries in India:

• ASD/VSD repair
• TOF correction
• Arterial switch operation
• Fontan procedure
• Valve repair in children

Why India Leads in Pediatric Cardiac Care:

• Specialized pediatric ICUs
• Surgeons with 20+ years of experience
• Affordable treatment costs
• High success rates, even in complex conditions

Thousands of international parents choose India due to exceptional results and compassionate care.

Robotic Cardiac Surgery 

Robotic-assisted surgery is one of the most advanced technologies in cardiac care

Benefits:

• Unmatched precision
• Minimal blood loss
• Quick recovery
• Short hospital stay
• No major chest incision

India is one of the few countries offering robotic cardiac treatments at affordable pricing

Heart Transplant

A heart transplant is performed when the heart fails permanently and cannot be repaired.

Who Needs a Heart Transplant?

• End-stage heart failure
• Cardiomyopathy
• Severe valve disease
• Congenital heart defects not treatable otherwise

Why International Patients Choose India:

• Availability of advanced transplant centers
• Experienced transplant surgeons
• Transparent pre and post-transplant care
• Lower cost compared to West

Cardiac Surgery Cost in India

One of India’s strongest advantages is affordability. International patients can save up to 80% on treatment costs

Average Cost Table 

Cardiac Surgery — Typical Cost Range

Below table shows indicative cost ranges for common cardiac procedures. Costs are approximate and may vary by hospital, city, and patient condition.

What’s Included in the Cost:

• Surgery
• Surgeon & anesthesiologist fees
• ICU charges
• 5–10 days hospital stay
• Medicines & consumables
• Nursing & monitoring
• Post-surgery care

India provides one of the best cost-to-quality health services in the world 

Best Hospitals for Cardiac Surgery in India

India hosts some of the world’s finest cardiac centers:

Top Cardiac Hospitals

List of prominent hospitals and their key cardiac specializations.

Note: Specializations listed are indicative. For detailed services and costs, contact the hospital directly.

Why These Hospitals Are Global Leaders:

• JCI & NABH accredited
• Highest safety standards
• Modern operating theaters
• Experienced medical teams
• Dedicated international patient departments
• Translators for Arabic, French, Russian, Bangla, Swahili, and more

International patients receive personalized care from arrival to departure.

Success Rate of Cardiac Surgery in India 

India’s cardiac surgery success rate is between 92% to 98%, depending on procedure type and patient condition. Minimally invasive and robotic surgeries have even higher rates

Why Success Rates Are High:

• High surgical expertise
• Better pre-operative assessments
• Advanced ICU monitoring
• Strict quality protocols
• High patient volume (experience matters)
• Specialized cardiac anesthesiologists

India is considered one of the safest destinations globally for cardiac procedures.