[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/03\/heart-bypass-surgery-pros-cons\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/03\/heart-bypass-surgery-pros-cons\/","headline":"Heart Bypass Surgery: Pros & Cons","name":"Heart Bypass Surgery: Pros & Cons","description":"Learn about the pros and cons of heart bypass surgery, which can restore blood flow to the heart. Discover the benefits and risks of this procedure.","datePublished":"2015-03-05","dateModified":"2018-08-29","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/heart-vascular","name":"Heart and Vascular Institute","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/heart-vascular","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/heart-and-vascular-institute\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/surgeon.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/surgeon.png","height":527,"width":791},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/03\/heart-bypass-surgery-pros-cons\/","about":["Heart and Vascular Health"],"wordCount":366,"keywords":["arrhythmia","artery","chest pain","coronary artery disease","heart","heart attack","heart bypass","heart surgery","stroke"],"articleBody":"Coronary arteries are blood vessels that bring blood to your heart. If one or more of these arteries is blocked, your heart won’t get the nutrients it needs. In order to remove the blockage, surgery is sometimes\u00a0required.Heart bypass surgery, also called coronary artery bypass graft surgery or CABG, creates a detour around a blocked artery to improve blood flow to your heart. If you or a loved one are facing heart surgery, here is what you can expect. Learn more about the procedure itself, as well as the pros, cons, and things you should know about heart bypass surgery.What Happens During Heart Bypass Surgery?During heart bypass surgery, you are put under anesthesia, which means you’re given medicine to keep you asleep while your doctor performs your surgery.First, your doctor opens your chest to get to your heart.Then, your doctor takes a blood vessel from another part of your body, like your leg or arm, and attaches it to your heart. This creates a detour, or bypass, around your blocked artery so that blood can flow again.What Are the Pros of Heart Bypass Surgery?There are many benefits\u00a0to this surgery, such as:Having less chest pain, or having your chest pain go awayLowering your chance of a heart attackHaving more energy for physical activitiesRELATED:\u00a0Which Heart Surgery Is Best?What Are the Cons Heart Bypass Surgery?Heart bypass surgery is a very common and usually successful way to treat blocked coronary arteries. All surgeries have risks and the risks for this surgery can include:Heart attackStrokeBleeding during or after the surgeryA change in kidney functionA lung infectionChanges in your heart rhythmAn allergic reaction to the anesthesia or other materials used during the surgeryInjuries to your nerves in your chest, arms, or legsIn rare cases, deathHow Can I Decide What Is Best?It’s always best to talk to your doctor, who can help you decide if heart bypass surgery is right for you.To learn more, visit the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute online or call 1-855-UPMC-HVI (1-855-876-2484) to schedule an appointment."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2015","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"03","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/\/03\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Heart Bypass Surgery: Pros & Cons","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/03\/heart-bypass-surgery-pros-cons\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]