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Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Blood Heart Circulation

Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Coronary artery bypass surgery, also known as a heart bypass, creates a new path for blood to flow to the heart by bypassing blocked or narrowed arteries.

Overview

This procedure, often called coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), is the most common heart surgery in adults. It is typically used to treat coronary artery disease (CAD), where plaque builds up in the arteries, causing them to harden and narrow, which restricts blood flow to the heart.

Providers usually attempt other treatments first, such as lifestyle changes, medications, or angioplasty. Surgery is recommended if these methods are ineffective.

Who Might Benefit

Surgery is often recommended to lower the risk of a heart attack in patients with obstructive coronary artery disease. Candidates may include those with:

  • Coronary heart disease with angina (chest pain)
  • Diabetes
  • Multiple blocked coronary arteries
  • Serious heart failure

Emergency surgery may also be required to treat a severe heart attack.

Surgical Methods

During the procedure, a surgeon attaches healthy blood vessels from another part of the body to the areas above and below the blocked artery. Methods include:

  • Traditional CABG: The chest is opened, and a machine is used to pump blood during the surgery.
  • Off-pump CABG: The chest is opened, but a heart-lung machine is not used.
  • Minimally invasive CABG: Small incisions are made in the chest without the use of a heart-lung machine.
  • Robotic-assisted surgery: A type of minimally invasive surgery where the surgeon controls robotic arms via a computer.

Risks and Outlook

While results are often excellent, risks include:

  • Arrhythmia
  • Bleeding
  • Heart attack
  • Infection
  • Kidney failure
  • Stroke

Many patients remain symptom-free for years following the procedure. However, surgery may be needed again if new blockages form. Lifestyle changes and medications are essential to help prevent future clogging of the arteries.

Frequently Asked Questions

You should contact your doctor if you experience persistent fever, increased pain or redness around the incision, drainage from the incision, or new or worsening shortness of breath. Seek immediate emergency care for severe chest pain, sudden dizziness or fainting, sudden weakness or numbness, or signs of a stroke.
Full recovery from traditional CABG can take 6 to 12 weeks, though minimally invasive approaches may have shorter recovery times. Initially, you should avoid lifting heavy objects (usually over 5-10 pounds), pushing, pulling, or twisting your upper body. Driving is typically restricted for several weeks. A cardiac rehabilitation program will guide you through a gradual increase in activity.
To maintain the benefits, it's crucial to adopt heart-healthy lifestyle changes. This includes following a low-saturated fat, low-cholesterol diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, engaging in regular physical activity as advised by your doctor, quitting smoking, managing stress, and maintaining a healthy weight. Adhering to prescribed medications for blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes is also vital.
fter CABG, you will have regular follow-up appointments with your cardiologist, typically starting a few weeks post-surgery and then annually. These visits will include physical exams, medication reviews, and potentially tests like electrocardiograms (ECGs), echocardiograms, or stress tests to monitor your heart function and the patency of the bypass grafts.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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