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Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG)
Open-heart surgery that reroutes blood around severely blocked heart arteries using a healthy vessel from elsewhere in the body. Often called bypass surgery.
Causes & risk factors
- Severe multi-vessel coronary artery disease
- Blockages not suitable for angioplasty
- Left main artery disease
- Ongoing angina despite medicines
- Blockage found after a heart attack
Common symptoms
Tests & diagnosis
- Coronary angiography
- ECG
- Echocardiogram
- Pre-operative blood tests
- Kidney function
Treatment & management
- Surgery to graft healthy vessels around the blockages
- Can be done with or without the heart-lung machine
- Hospital recovery followed by cardiac rehabilitation
- Continued medicines for cholesterol, BP and clot prevention
- Lifestyle changes to protect the new grafts
When to see a doctor urgently
- Call emergency services for chest pain, fever or wound problems after surgery
- See your surgeon for breathlessness or swelling during recovery
- Seek urgent care for palpitations or fainting after discharge
Not a diagnosis. MedDroid gives general educational information about coronary artery bypass graft (cabg). It cannot examine you, diagnose or prescribe — always confirm with a qualified doctor.
Frequently asked questions
How long is recovery after bypass surgery?
Most people recover over 6 to 12 weeks, with cardiac rehabilitation helping return to activity.
Will the blockages come back?
Grafts can narrow over time, so medicines and a healthy lifestyle are important to keep them open.
Explore more
Sources & further reading
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- MedlinePlus — U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, India
- Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
Reviewed by Dr. Sanjay Anbu, MBBS. MedDroid is an AI medical assistant and can make mistakes. It provides general health information, not a diagnosis or medical advice — always consult a qualified clinician. In an emergency, contact your local emergency number immediately.