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People take risks throughout life.
When you over-take a car on a single carriageway, you are taking a risk
if there is oncoming traffic. You take a risk that you can return to
your side of the road in good time, otherwise the consequences could
be fatal.
Lots of people say "well you could be knocked down by a bus",
yet how often do you take a split-second discission to cross a busy
road. You take a risk of being knocked down.
When you are waiting at a Pelican Crossing at a Crossroads, I've seen lots of people take a risk in crossing the road before the "Green Man" appears. I've done it myself.
Cardiac Surgery is not without risks, but you don't have to have the surgery if do approve it. However it all depends on how much a life and death situation it is. Most people who require cardiac surgery could lead a much better life with an operation than without it. The Medical profession have to cover themselves and warn you of any risks to medical procedures no matter how small they are.
When a Transoesophageal Echocardiography
is performed (where a small tube is put down your throat to take detailed
pictures of the heart) I was told that there was a very miniscule risk
of a complication.
For the Angiogram (tube inserted into groin), there was a 1000/1 chance
of having a stroke during the procedure.
However at the time I consented to have the Mitral Valve Repair operation,
I was quoted the following risks involved:
Death 3-5%, Stroke 2%, Bleeding 2%, DVT, Pacemaker 5% and others.
In my case I had made the descission is take the risk in having the operation, because the consequences of not having the operation were that the condition would continue to deteriorate, and eventually would most likely lead to irresparable damage to the heart and finally heart failure.
