A new study finds that prospects for a heart attack increase after the first month of undergoing complete hip or knee surgery. Within the first month, the chances of having a heart attack are increased by 8 times after reconstructive knee surgery compared to those who didn’t have the procedure. And the risk of a heart attack was four times greater during the month following hip replacement surgery.

Yet the analysts insist that the results shouldn’t inhibit patients from undergoing the procedure. Doctors add that neither hip nor knee surgeries negatively affected heart attack statistics throughout the entire convalescence. Rates were substantially increased directly after the surgery. But like any other type of needed surgery, rewards outweigh the risks.

Although the chances of a heart attack were reduced over a long period of time, the odds of blood clots in veins and lungs rose immediately after surgery and remained for years after, researchers noted.Lead researcher of the study, Yuqing Zhang, a professor of medicine and epidemiology at Boston University School of Medicine, said, “Contrary to recently published findings, our study indicates that total joint replacement procedures do not provide an overall protective effect on the risk of heart attack.”

The findings indicate that the risk directly following these surgeries may have been downplayed. Dr. Gregg Fonarow, professor of cardiology at the University of California, Los Angeles, added, “It is well documented that during and early after a variety of surgical procedures that the risk of a heart attack is elevated.” However, in an earlier study, patients with osteoarthritis were studied who either did or didn’t undergo knee or hip surgery, and the findings indicated that there was a lower risk of heart attacks among those who needed surgery. Yet instances of heart attacks during the subsequent month were excluded from the study, clouding results.

Fonarow added that diligence towards following a heart-favored lifestyle is the best way to reduce the risk of a heart attack. Fonarow also added, “Doctors and patients can take steps to substantially lower the risk of heart attacks by maintaining a healthy blood pressure, cholesterol level, body weight, and by exercising and not smoking,” and, “In addition, statins are one of the most effective therapies to minimize risk.”

Source: CBS News