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Heart Bypass Complications

According the American Heart Association, about 427,000 coronary bypass operations are performed each year. Bypass surgery is a sensible option when symptoms of angina (chest pain or discomfort when your heart muscle gets inadequate blood) persist despite taking medications and making healthy lifestyle changes. There are a number of risks and potential complications associated with this often life-saving procedure.

  1. Heart Bypass Surgery

    • Heart bypass surgery is a relatively lengthy, major operation. It usually takes somewhere between three to six hours to complete. Surgeons typically repair two to four coronary arteries. The number of bypasses will vary depending on the site and acuteness of blockages in your heart.

    Post-Operative Care

    • Coronary bypass patients can plan on spending at least one day in the intensive care unit of a hospital. During this critical time your heart, blood pressure, breathing and other vital signs will be monitored around the clock.

    Complications

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, complications are rare following heart bypass surgery. The most common problems are stroke, bleeding, irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmias), kidney failure, memory loss that can persist for six months to a year, and infections of the chest wound.

    Signs of Infection

    • There are several warning signs that an infection has developed in your chest wound. You may run a fever, have a rapid heart rate, and notice the pain has worsened around your chest wound. There may also be reddening, bleeding or other discharge from your incision site.

    Risk of Complications

    • The threat of developing complications is due primarily to the state of your overall health prior to bypass surgery. Your doctor can assess your individual situation and discuss the potential for problems.

    Low Mortality Rate

    • The risk of dying from coronary bypass surgery is usually low, but again, your state of health is a factor. The operation poses a greater threat when it's performed under emergency circumstances or if you suffer from other serious medical issues such as emphysema, diabetes or kidney disease.

    Recovering from Bypass Surgery

    • Recovery from a coronary bypass can take six to 12 weeks. Be sure to consult with your doctor before resuming exercise and sexual activity.

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