Heart

Here are definitions of medical terms related to cardiac bypass surgery. Angina: Temporary chest pain or feeling of pressure that occurs because the heart is not getting enough oxygen due to the diminished blood flow. Angioplasty: A procedure in which a physician threads a catheter through blood vessels leading to the heart and uses a balloon or […]

Here are some reliable sources that can provide more information on cardiac bypass surgery. American College of Cardiology  Phone: 301-897-5400 Phone: 800-253-4636 http://www.acc.org American Heart Association  Phone: 800-227-2345 Phone: 214-373-6300 http://www.americanheart.org National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Information Center  Phone: 800-575-WELL Phone: 301-251-1222 http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov National Centers for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Tobacco

Cardiac bypass surgery is an operation to restore the flow of blood through the arteries that supply blood to the heart, when a blockage or partial blockage occurs in these arteries. The arteries that supply the heart muscle with oxygen and nutrients are known as the coronary arteries. The word “coronary” means a crown, and

There are two main coronary arteries supplying blood to the heart, the left coronary artery and the right coronary artery. The left main coronary artery, which splits into two further branches known as the left anterior descending artery and the left circumflex artery, supplies most of the heart with blood; thus if it is diseased, can cause major

After bypass surgery, the blood supply to the area of the heart that was previously restricted due to narrowing of the artery supplying that area, is restored. The blocked artery has now been bypassed. Bypass surgery may improve quality of life and increase the life span. In some cases, it may do both. In other

Except in emergencies, patients and their doctors have time to prepare for bypass surgery. In addition to the various tests, you will have time to meet the surgical team and ask them questions about the procedure. If you wish, you will also be able to plan donations of your own blood, or have family members

Just before the surgery, you will be given a mild sedative. If you are a man, your chest will be shaved. If blood vessels are to be taken from your legs, they will be shaved too. You will then be moved to the operating room. The operating room can be intimidating and feel cold at first,

Need To Know: The usual length of hospital stay after bypass surgery is 3 to 7 days. It takes about 4 to 6 weeks to recover following surgery, and about 6 weeks to return to normal activity, though it takes about 12 weeks for the breastbone to heal. The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) will be

Any medical procedure has possible risks and complications. The most common risks in bypass surgery include: Too much bleeding, requiring more surgery Infection of the wound Stroke, the sudden death of brain cells due to lack of oxygen caused by a blockage Blood clots Organ failure (liver, kidney, lung) Heart attacks occur in 5% to 10%

You will have a checkup with the cardiologist about 7 to 10 days after you go home. During this visit, the cardiologist will discuss your recovery, make recommendations for improving your lifestyle, and fine-tune your medications if necessary. By the sixth week after surgery, most people resume almost all of their regular activities. You can

In addition to bypass surgery, there are two other types of treatment for coronary artery disease: Medication Angioplasty Medication Medication is useful for patients with disease in the earlier stages with just one or two arteries that are partially blocked. It is also useful if for some reason your coronary artery disease cannot be treated

Here are some frequently asked questions related to cardiac bypass surgery. Q: Are there any new developments in coronary bypass surgery? A: Recent advances in stabilizing the heart as it beats allows surgeons to do coronary bypass surgery without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass. This is known as beating heart surgery. There are several stabilizers available