Recovery after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery

A CABG is a big operation, so you need to be realistic about how you're going to feel when you come out of hospital. Total recovery times vary from person to person.

The factors that are most likely to influence recovery are age, severity of the heart disease, smoking and diet.

After the operation you'll spend a night or two in the Intensive Treatment Unit (ITU) or cardiac recovery ward. You'll then spend around four to seven (1) days in hospital.

If the CABG operation - and your recovery - goes as normal, you should be able to walk to the toilet about two days after the operation and be able to walk upstairs after around five or six days. You should be able to go home soon afterwards (2).

You must have someone to pick you up from the hospital and take you home after a CABG operation, or arrange this with your hospital care team.

Recovery at home

Many people feel very tired for the first three months (this can go on for six months).

Your breastbone takes a long time to heal, so you may feel pain in your chest, back and neck. Talk to your doctor or nurse if this is a problem. You may need painkillers until the discomfort wears off.

If you've had a vein taken from your leg to use in the CABG, the area around the scar on your leg may feel numb or swollen.

You may also notice that you have an irregular heartbeat - as if your heart is missing a beat, or beating too quickly. These are all normal after effects of the heart bypass operation.

If you are worried, talk to the medical team while you are in hospital, or mention it to your GP, if you're at home. They'll assess the situation and decide whether you need any further treatment.

Medication and lifestyle

A CABG is carried out mainly to improve control of angina symptoms; it does not remove the furring-up that narrowed arteries. This is why, if you have already had a heart attack, your doctor will want you to continue taking your prescribed medication, such as statins, aspirin and beta-blockers.

You should also discuss your diet and exercise regimen with your doctor, if you haven't done so already. The new veins or arteries can also end up blocked by fatty deposits, if you don't stick to a healthier diet or keep exercising.

If you are still smoking, you should stop now. Ask your GP for information and support about quitting smoking.

Cardiac rehabilitation programme

You should be asked to attend a cardiac rehabilitation programme about four to six weeks after your CABG operation (3). The topics covered will include exercise, healthy eating and relaxation. The programme is designed to get you back to normal as quickly as possible.

Infolinks

References:

  1. NHS CKS Library | Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) | Accessed Sep 2009
  2. Healthcare Commission | About heart bypass (coronary artery bypass graft) operations | Accessed Sep 2009 | Updated May 2007
  3. The British Cardiac Patients Association | Coronary Artery Bypass Graft(pdf) | Accessed Sep 2009 | The British Cardiac Patients Association (2007)

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