What Is a Heart Bypass?
If you or someone you care about has been told they may need a heart bypass, it’s natural to have questions. What exactly is a heart bypass? When is it necessary? And what does recovery look like?
A heart bypass, also known as a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), is a surgical procedure used to treat coronary artery disease—a condition where the blood vessels supplying the heart become narrowed or blocked. This procedure is designed to restore healthy blood flow to the heart, reduce symptoms like chest pain, and lower the risk of heart attacks.
Why Would You Need a Heart Bypass?
The heart muscle relies on coronary arteries to supply it with oxygen-rich blood. Over time, these arteries can become narrowed or blocked due to atherosclerosis, a process where fatty deposits (plaques) build up along the artery walls.
When blood can’t flow properly, the heart doesn’t get enough oxygen—especially during physical activity. This can cause chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, or in some cases, a heart attack.
If the blockages are severe and can’t be managed with medication or stents alone, your cardiologist may recommend a heart bypass operation to improve circulation.
What Happens During a Heart Bypass Operation?
A heart bypass is performed by a specialist cardiac surgeon and usually takes between 3 to 6 hours, depending on the number of arteries being bypassed.
Here’s how it works:
A healthy blood vessel (a graft) is taken from another part of your body—often the leg (saphenous vein), chest (internal mammary artery), or arm (radial artery).
This graft is then attached above and below the blocked section of the coronary artery, creating a new pathway for blood to flow to the heart muscle.
Depending on your condition, you might need one (single), two (double), or more bypasses.
The operation can be performed either with the heart stopped and supported by a heart-lung machine (on-pump), or while the heart is still beating (off-pump), depending on the surgeon’s recommendation and your health status.
For more information about this procedure, the NHS coronary bypass surgery guide is a helpful place to start.
When Is a Heart Bypass Recommended?
Not every patient with coronary artery disease needs surgery. A heart bypass is usually recommended when:
You have multiple blocked coronary arteries
The left main artery (which supplies most of the heart) is significantly narrowed
You’ve had persistent angina that doesn’t improve with medication or stents
Other treatments, such as angioplasty, aren’t suitable or haven’t worked
Sometimes, bypass surgery is also recommended for patients with diabetes and widespread artery disease, as it may offer better long-term results than other interventions.
What Is Recovery Like After a Heart Bypass?
Recovery after a heart bypass takes time and requires patience, but most people return to normal activities within a few months.
In the hospital:
You’ll usually spend a few days in intensive care, followed by several days on a cardiac ward.
Pain and tiredness are common in the early stages, but these improve gradually.
Your heart and wounds will be closely monitored during recovery.
At home:
Most people return home within 7–10 days.
You’ll need to avoid heavy lifting and driving for several weeks.
A full recovery can take 6 to 12 weeks, depending on your overall health.
You’ll be encouraged to take part in a cardiac rehabilitation programme, which helps you rebuild strength and confidence after surgery.
What Are the Risks of a Heart Bypass?
As with any major surgery, there are some risks, but heart bypass surgery is generally very safe. The benefits of improved blood flow and reduced symptoms often far outweigh the risks.
Possible complications include:
Infection at the wound site
Bleeding
Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias)
Stroke or heart attack (rare)
Graft failure in the long term (though many grafts last 10–15 years or more)
Your surgical team will assess your overall health and ensure the procedure is appropriate for you.
What Lifestyle Changes Should You Make After Surgery?
A heart bypass treats the symptoms, but it doesn’t cure the underlying cause—atherosclerosis. That’s why long-term lifestyle changes are crucial to protect your heart going forward.
Here are a few key recommendations:
Follow a heart-healthy diet, low in saturated fat and salt
Take prescribed medications to control blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes
Exercise regularly (under guidance from your cardiac rehab team)
Manage stress and mental wellbeing
At Heartsure, we support patients before and after bypass surgery, offering ongoing heart checks, lifestyle advice and medication reviews. If you’re preparing for or recovering from a heart procedure, contact us here to speak to one of our cardiology specialists. You can also check out what some of our previous patients have said about our clinic here
Final Thoughts
So, what is a heart bypass? It’s a surgical procedure that restores blood flow to your heart when coronary arteries are narrowed or blocked. For many people, it offers not just longer life—but better quality of life with fewer symptoms and greater freedom.
If you’ve been recommended for surgery, or you’re worried about chest pain or other heart-related symptoms, it’s important to seek expert advice early.
