Heart Bypass Surgery

With open heart surgery, also called heart bypass surgery, a blood vessel is taken from somewhere in the body and used to bypass a diseased vessel in the heart. This can help relieve symptoms such as pain, pressure, or tightness in the chest. It is a major surgical procedure, and people can often expect to stay four to seven days in the hospital. Complications are few, but can include infection, stroke, and even loss of life. (Click Open Heart Surgery to learn more about this bypass procedure, including what to expect the day of the surgery, how it will improve heart function, and more.)