What is recovery like after heart bypass surgery?

What happens straight after surgery?

Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery uses blood vessels from the leg, arm or chest to bypass narrowed coronary arteries. Most operations are performed through an incision in the breastbone, called a median sternotomy.

After a short stay in intensive care, people move to a ward where they start sitting out of bed, breathing exercises and walking with support within the first days. Chest discomfort, tiredness and poor sleep are common early on.

How long does recovery take?

Recovery is gradual. Many people feel noticeably better within weeks and return to most normal activities within a few months. The breastbone usually takes several weeks to heal.

Emotional ups and downs, low mood and poor concentration are common in the first weeks and usually improve. Talking about these feelings with the care team or rehabilitation staff can help.

How should I use my arms while the breastbone heals?

Traditionally, people were told to restrict arm use for four to six weeks, such as not lifting more than a light load, pushing up from a chair with the arms or reaching behind 1. A randomised trial of 72 adults after sternotomy compared these restrictive precautions with less restrictive advice to use pain and discomfort as the limit for arm use during daily activities 1.

There were no significant differences in physical function at 4 or 12 weeks, or in pain and quality of life, between the groups 1. Advice still varies between hospitals, so follow your surgical team's guidance and avoid heavy lifting in the early weeks.

What role does cardiac rehabilitation play?

Cardiac rehabilitation programmes include people who have had bypass surgery. A Cochrane review of 85 trials of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation in coronary heart disease, including people after revascularisation, found reduced hospital admissions and heart attacks in the short term 2.

Programmes provide supervised exercise, education on medicines and lifestyle, and support with anxiety and return to work.

When can I drive after bypass surgery?

In the UK, car drivers must not drive for at least four weeks after bypass surgery, and stricter rules apply to bus and lorry drivers 3. Rules differ by country, so check local regulations and confirm with your doctor.

Being able to wear a seat belt comfortably, turn to look over your shoulder and react quickly are also important before driving.

When can I return to work and other activities?

People with office jobs often return within a couple of months, while those with physically demanding work may need longer. Sexual activity can usually be resumed when you can manage moderate activity, such as climbing stairs, comfortably.

Gradually increasing walking distance, avoiding heavy lifting until the breastbone has healed and pacing activities help recovery.

How should leg or arm wounds from graft harvesting be cared for?

If a vein was taken from the leg or an artery from the arm, that wound also needs care. Swelling, bruising and numbness around the wound are common in the early weeks. Raising the leg when sitting, wearing compression stockings if advised and walking regularly help reduce swelling.

Keep the wound clean and dry and watch for redness, warmth, discharge or increasing pain. Numbness along the wound often improves over months.

What symptoms should be reported?

Seek prompt advice for redness, swelling, discharge or increasing pain at the chest or leg wound, fever, a clicking or movement feeling in the breastbone, or increasing breathlessness or leg swelling.

Call emergency services for chest pain like angina or a heart attack, fainting, sudden severe breathlessness or signs of stroke.

Frequently asked questions