If you’ve been diagnosed with coronary artery disease, you’re not alone. It’s the most common type of heart disease, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates one in every 20 adults has it.
When arteries become blocked with plaque it can affect blood flow to the heart, which can lead to chest pain and shortness of breath.
“When you experience symptoms, it’s important to have a cardiologist treat them as soon as possible to prevent a heart attack or stroke,” said Valerie Reed, APRN. “If possible, we often try new heart-healthy lifestyle changes and medication, but if that doesn’t work then stents or bypass surgery could be options to treat a blockage.”
Not everyone with coronary heart disease needs bypass surgery, and the heart care team may recommend alternatives like a stent to open an artery.
Heart bypass surgery — also called coronary artery bypass grafting — is needed when the arteries that supply blood to the heart become blocked or significantly narrowed.
If you are a good candidate for heart bypass surgery, your care team will ensure you know everything that will happen before, during and after the procedure.
Before
Before your surgery, you’ll have some meetings with your care team. Your nurse will review everything that will happen during surgery as well as the recovery process.
You will also likely have some tests, such as blood work, a chest X-ray, an EKG and anesthesia evaluation. Your team will also tell you what to do the day of your surgery.
“We understand that cardiac surgery is a scary procedure to undergo and for many people, it is something unexpected,” Reed said. “We work hard to answer all your questions and make things as easy as possible during your time with us.”
During
You will be under anesthesia during surgery, so you will be in a state of deep sleep and won’t feel a thing. The procedure will likely take 4-5 hours.
The procedure involves connecting blood vessels from your leg to a healthy artery from the chest to create a new route for blood to travel around the blocked artery.
After
After surgery, you will spend some time in the hospital Intensive Care Unit (ICU). You will remain hospitalized until you’re stable, which could be 4-5 days.
Our team of doctors, advanced practice providers, therapists and nurses work with you to help you feel comfortable recovering at home in familiar settings,” Reed said. “One thing people are surprised by is that we want you up and sitting in the chair and walking as soon as you can. This helps with recovery and prevents complications.”
Pain after surgery is managed with IV and oral medications in the hospital and you are discharged with a prescription for pain medication to take at home. Most people can manage their pain with just Tylenol after about 2-3 weeks, Reed said.
Often people need about 6-8 weeks off work to recover, Reed said. People with less strenuous jobs may return to work sooner, while more strenuous work may require more time.
When you leave the hospital, you will begin cardiac rehab, a program designed to help people recover and develop heart-healthy lifestyle habits, such as regular exercise, that could help lower blood pressure and reduce the need for medication.
“Cardiac rehab helps patients return to normal function more quickly,” Reed said. “Resuming exercise after a cardiac event can be difficult, but it has been shown to prevent additional complications.”
Your cardiologist will also see you throughout your recovery to monitor your healing. Generally it could take up to three months to recover from bypass surgery.
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