Patient Education: Diseases Conditions Treatments & Procedures

Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Alleviates angina that results from the decrease in oxygen to the heart
After surgery, more oxygen will be supplied to your heart muscle by increased blood flow
Bypass surgery is for patients whose angina does not improve through medical treatment
Can prolong life and improve the quality of life
Although the majority of patients are completely free of angina after bypass surgery, it does not cure coronary artery disease. Angina may reoccur.
You will need to modify your lifestyle to slow the progression of coronary artery disease.
Common early risks of coronary artery bypass surgery:
Excessive bleeding after surgery and another exploration of your chest wound may be necessary (this is rarely serious).
Irregular heart beating for a short period of time is not usually serious but may occur
Temporary side effects of bypass surgery:
- numbness along the incisions
- swelling of the ankle and foot where the vein was removed
- fatigue (tiredness)
- loss of time related to major surgery
- some emotional changes
- occasional confusion
- numbness and tingling of the left breast area and fingers (when the internal mammary artery has been used as a bypass).