Heart bypass surgery is also known as Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery (CABG). It is the surgical procedure that involves rerouting the blood flow to the heart by creating a new path.

When the plaque starts to accumulate in the arteries, they begin to harden, narrowed and get blocked. The blocked arteries restrict the flow of oxygen and blood to the heart, which affects its functioning and leads to a heart attack. So, to restore proper blood flow to the heart, CABG is performed.

In case of severe artery blockage, which cannot be unclogged either by stenting or balloon angioplasty, CABG is suggested. To perform a heart bypass surgery, the cardiothoracic surgeon may take a healthy blood vessel from the patient’s leg, arm or chest and connect its one end to a healthy artery and the other end beyond the blockage to restore the blood flow.

Since CABG is a major surgical treatment, even without any complications, it can take around 6 to 12 weeks to recover from the surgery.

You may not drive for four to six weeks. Also, you may not drive if you still experience chest incisional pain or if you are still taking medications that may impair your judgment.