Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery

Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is a procedure that reroutes blood flow around a blocked or narrowed artery to restore healthy circulation to your heart. Novant Health heart and vascular specialists provide personalized CABG surgery, also called bypass surgery or heart bypass surgery, designed to relieve symptoms and support long-term heart health. From diagnosis through recovery, our team walks with you at every step.

Find a specialist

Find a location

What is coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery?

Coronary artery bypass graft surgery treats blocked or narrowed coronary arteries by creating a new path for blood to reach your heart muscle. Surgeons use a healthy blood vessel, often taken from your leg, arm or chest, to bypass the blocked section of the artery. This helps restore blood flow, ease chest pain and lower the risk of a heart attack. Your cardiovascular specialist may recommend CABG surgery if other treatments haven't relieved your symptoms or if your coronary artery disease is severe.

Common reasons for coronary artery bypass graft surgery

You may need CABG surgery if you're experiencing symptoms related to coronary artery disease or if less invasive treatments haven't worked. Common reasons include:

Severe or worsening chest pain, also called angina
Significant narrowing or blockage in one or more coronary arteries
Coronary artery disease that hasn't improved with medication or lifestyle changes
A history of heart attack caused by blocked arteries
Multiple blocked arteries that aren't well suited for stenting
Reduced blood flow to the heart muscle found during diagnostic testing

Your cardiovascular specialist will review your test results, symptoms and overall heart health to determine if CABG surgery is right for you.

Treatment options

CABG surgery improves blood flow to the heart by creating new pathways around blocked or narrowed arteries. Your surgical approach depends on the location and number of blockages and your overall health. Options may include:

Traditional CABG surgery, which uses an incision in the chest to access the heart
Minimally invasive or off-pump bypass techniques for eligible patients
Multiple bypass grafts to improve blood flow around more than one blocked artery

Your care team will explain which approach is right for you and what you can expect from surgery based on your specific heart condition.

Recovery & rehabilitation

Recovery from CABG surgery takes time, and your care team will guide you through each stage. Recovery milestones generally include:

A hospital stay of several days for monitoring right after surgery
Gradual increases in walking and daily activity over the following weeks
Cardiac rehabilitation to safely rebuild strength and heart function
Follow-up appointments to monitor healing and heart health
A return to most normal activities within a few months, depending on your progress

Your physician will help set realistic expectations based on your health and the type of procedure you had.

Risk factors

As with any heart surgery, CABG carries some risks, including infection, bleeding, irregular heart rhythms or complications related to anesthesia. Your care team will carefully review your health history and discuss these risks with you before surgery so you feel informed and prepared. They'll also answer any questions you have and support you throughout your recovery.

Why is treatment important?

Treating blocked coronary arteries can help relieve chest pain, improve blood flow and reduce the risk of a future heart attack. Addressing coronary artery disease early supports your long-term heart health and quality of life. Our heart and vascular team is here to guide you with compassionate, expert care every step of the way.

Conditions we treat

Our expert team delivers expert care for a wide range of heart and vascular conditions.

View conditions

Managing medications for better heart health

Learn how pharmacists help patients manage medications, understand heart risks and make informed choices for better long-term heart health.

Ask a heart expert: Is this normal?

Your heart may race, flutter or skip a beat. Learn when heart palpitations are normal and when they may signal a need to call your doctor.

Heart surgery: When is it right for you?

Learn how doctors decide between stents, bypass surgery, medication or other treatments for coronary artery disease.