Traditionally India has always been a destination for people seeking treatment from neighboring countries like Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. More recently, in the last couple of years, many patients from the developed world such as USA, UK and Canada have also been flocking to India for high end surgical care like heart surgery. In countries like UK and Canada, the waiting period for a much needed surgery is sometimes as long as one year. In such cases more and more people opt to fly to India where there is no waiting period.

In USA, the situation is quite bad. According to statistics, 20% of Americans between the age groups of 19 and 64 don't have health insurance, and don't have access to basic surgery like bypass surgery, for example. The cost of heart surgery in private hospitals for people who do not have insurance is very high and not affordable. Hence more and more Americans are now travelling to India to get heart surgery done, at a much lower cost.

This form of treatment when people seek out of their country is referred to as medical tourism and is now a very rapidly growing industry in India. India offers medical treatment at a cost of about 90% lower than that in western countries.

India gives the opportunity to these people to get world class healthcare at a lower medical cost and also get a free holiday in the bargain. In some cases, there is some money even left over. In case of heart diseases, the treatment that India offers is very high standard. India has very highly specialized doctors who are certified and professionals. Also, India offers alternate health treatment like yoga but mainly people flock here for heart surgery amongst other treatments. People coming to India for heart surgery end up getting world class treatment and an almost free holiday.

Experienced doctors and excellent bedside manners go a long way in making westerners feel good and at home. Also, India being a country where English is spoken very widely, people coming from abroad do not face the problem in communication. The doctors are very skilled and adept at handling any emergency cases. Complex cases are also dealt with expertise in India. The education system in India churns out very high standard doctors and nurses who put patients' welfare first.

The care for the patients is also done with a personal touch in India and so patients' recovery is faster and the moral support is always there. For heart surgery India has very high standard hospitals with expert doctors and nurses. The standards are very well maintained as most of the hospitals catering to westerners come under private sector. The medical facilities as well as the technology are at par with any in the world.

Lower airfare in international flights is making it possible for people to come to India for getting heart surgery done. Along with top class treatment, they also get to see the various pilgrimages India has to offer. On the whole, heart surgery in India is a healthy deal.