What Is a Coronary Artery Bypass?
Also known as a heart bypass or bypass surgery, a coronary artery bypass is a surgical procedure that uses harvested veins or arteries from elsewhere in the body to repair damage to the coronary arteries. The harvested arteries circumvent or bypass narrow areas of the coronary arteries and restore a normal flow of blood through the heart. First performed in 1960, this type of surgery has prevented the deaths of a number of people suffering with coronary artery disease, allowing them to enjoy many more years with family and friends.