Based on your past medical history, current symptoms, physical exam, and special tests, your doctor may recommend a procedure called a coronary artery bypass graft. A coronary artery bypass graft is also called CABG, bypass surgery, or open heart surgery.

 

The goal of bypass surgery is to take a blood vessel from somewhere else in your body and use it to bypass a vessel in your heart that has become damaged and blocked. This will improve the blood supply to your heart and, in turn, improve the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to your heart muscle.

 

In most cases, this improvement in blood supply will help relieve many symptoms of heart disease that you may be currently experiencing, including chest pain, pressure, or tightness.