Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the precise medical term for heart bypass surgery and the most common open-heart procedure in the United States. The long-term prognosis for recovery is excellent provided a patient makes a few changes in lifestyle.
Identification
Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a surgical procedure designed to route blood flow around extensively blocked coronary arteries. This is necessary due to the condition known as atherosclerosis, a buildup of plaque (fatty deposits) that clog delivery of blood.
Risk Factors
Complications are possible depending on factors such as age, smoking history, overall health, other medical issues and the level of heart damage, according to The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.
Time Frame
A four- to seven-day stay in the hospital is typical for post-surgery recovery. "It may take up to three months to fully recover from the surgery," reports the American Heart Association.
Prognosis
Although results vary from individual to individual, the prognosis for heart bypass is encouraging. "The long term results of CABG are excellent," according to the UCLA Department of Surgery. "The majority of patients obtain excellent relief of their symptoms of angina after surgery." Many who undergo the surgery notice an increase in energy after the recovery.
Considerations
Some patients require additional bypass surgery in the future, usually 10 years or more after the first procedure. That likelihood is largely dependent on whether the individual adopts a healthier lifestyle focused on fending off the buildup of plaque in the arteries.
Tags: artery bypass, artery bypass grafting, buildup plaque, bypass grafting, bypass grafting CABG, bypass surgery