“Doctor, do I need bypass surgery or is there any other option?”
There is a 500% chance you will hear, NO, “bypass surgery is the only way”
Sorry, it might be a little exaggerated but the majority of people hear the same thing.
For millions of heart patients across the globe, the answer to this question is life-changing. Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) Heart bypass surgery is often considered the “gold standard” for severe or 80 to 90% heart blockages. But what if we said that bypass surgery is neither as safe nor permanent as most people imagine? It was delivered with the assumption that bypass surgery was a one-and-done deal — a superhighway engineered around their blocked arteries, making for free-flowing blood for life. But what they don’t know (and aren’t told) is a long list of hidden complications that can arise weeks, months, or even years down the road such as brain damage, post-surgery infections, and even cardiac arrest during surgery. We bet you didn’t know that 50% of bypass grafts start clogging within 10 years of surgery. And many start failing in only one to five years! (Radcliff)
So, prepare for the unconventional—i.e., things you will not find on Google, except for SAAOL Heartcare Delhi to give you the complications of bypass surgery, the dark side, what no one ever tells you that will change your life forever. Also, don’t forget to read about the non-surgical alternatives of bypass surgery.
Bypass Surgery Is Not a “Cure” for Heart Disease
Most patients assume bypass surgery cures heart disease permanently. That’s a major NO.1 misconception. First, let’s understand what is Bypass Surgery.
Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) — commonly called bypass surgery — is a significant surgery in which surgeons redirect blood flow away from blocked arteries by using a healthy blood vessel from another area of your body (usually your leg or chest).
BYPASS SURGERY DOES NOT CURE THE UNDERLYING DISEASE, IT JUST RE-ROUTES THE TRAFFIC AROUND THE BLOCKED ARTERY. So, it is not the only and best heart disease treatment in India
The underlying reason those arteries became blocked in the first place — cholesterol buildup, inflammation, oxidative stress, poor endothelial function — remains. So what happens next? Another surgery. More medications. More risks. It’s a vicious cycle.
Let’s untangle the complexities of bypass surgery that very few people discuss.
1- Brain damage and cognitive loss (the hidden stroke risk)
To understand why, we need to know that one of the most startling complications of bypass surgery is its effect on the brain.
Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction(POCD):
- The bypass surgery may cause memory loss, confusion, and difficulty concentrating among many patients.
- Cognitive impairment occurs in up to 50% of patients after bypass surgery, according to karger studies.
- The risk increases further in people aged 60 or older.
Mini Strokes During Surgery:
- During bypass, microscopic blood clots, air bubbles, or plaque debris can flow to the brain.
- This can lead to silent strokes that don’t cause symptoms right away but gradually impair brain function.
- Some patients lose some of their ability to think, and never get it back, after bypass surgery.
The “Pumphead” Syndrome:
One patient said she felt like she was in a mental fog after surgery.
This occurs due to the heart-lung machine (which is used during bypass) temporarily changing the function of the brain. What you may not know is Bypass surgery can permanently alter the way your brain works. If you feel forgetful or different after surgery, it’s not all in your head.
2- The “New Artery” Can Get Blocked Faster Than You Think
You’d think that because bypass surgery makes a “new route” for blood, it should all run smoothly. Not really.
Did you know?
- The new vessel created through bypass surgery is NOT blockage-resistant.
- If the same lifestyle and risk factors prevail, the artery can become blocked again.
- Most patients will develop new blockages in their bypass grafts within 5-10 years.
Graft Failure Rates:
- Vein grafts (from the leg): 15-30% are occluded by just one year.
- Arterial grafts (from the chest or arm): Last longer but still have a 20-25% failure rate in 20-25 years.
What They Don’t Tell You: Bypass surgery is NOT a one-time fix. The new arteries can also become clogged, requiring another round of surgeries.
3- The Danger of Infection After Bypass Surgery (A Silent Killer)
Bypass surgery doesn’t only involve your heart — it involves slicing your chest. This entails a huge infection risk.
Common Infection Risks:
- Infections of the sternal wound (the chest bone fails to heal properly).
- Bloodstream infections (which can be life-threatening and may progress to sepsis).
- Lung infections (pneumonia) from long hospitalization.
Shocking Stat: Based on studies, 5-8% of bypass patients have serious infections that require extended treatments, antibiotic therapy, hospital stays, and maybe even a second surgery. (Eurointervention, Biomedcentral, AHA Journal)
What They Don’t Tell You: If your immune system is weak, infections can turn lethal after surgery.
4- No Permanent Fix – Bypass Does Not Prevent Heart Attack
Patients are often informed that: “Your heart will be good for your lifetime after this operation.
False. Bypass surgery alleviates symptoms, but does not prevent future heart attacks.
Other arteries can still get blocked. If lifestyle changes aren’t made, atherosclerosis continues to progress. Because even if the bypass is successful, heart attacks can still occur. This is the brutal reality.
Studies show that 30% of bypass patients experience another heart attack in the 10 years following surgery.
What They Don’t Tell You: Your new arteries won’t save you for all eternity if you don’t modify your lifestyle.
5- Bleeding and Blood Clots – The Deadly Post-Surgery Complication of Bypass Surgery
Blood thinners are needed to avoid blood clots after bypass surgery. But that carries a greater risk of bleeding problems.
Most Common Problems After Surgery:
- Internal bleeding (can be fatal)
- Excessive bruising and prolonged wound healing
- Stroke risk owing to blood clot formation
Did you know? Some patients are permanently dependent on blood thinners for the rest of their lives. You don’t wanna be like those right?
What They Don’t Tell You: The bleeding risks don’t disappear after surgery — they can accompany you for years.
So, What’s the Alternative?
if bypass surgery has so many complications, what else can you do?
Natural Non-Surgical Heart Treatment (EECP Treatment, Lifestyle Modifications, Heart Disease Reversal Programs)
EECP (Enhanced External Counterpulsation) Therapy – A passive blood flow-improving therapy.
Nutrition-based reversal – Whole-food, plant-based diets have been clinically proven to reverse blockages.
Zero-oil Cooking – Using No Oil in All Types of Cooking (SAAOL and Dr. Bimal Chhajer’s –Program to Avoid Bypass Surgery)
Conclusion: So, Should You Still Get Bypass Surgery?
Here’s the takeaway:
- Bypass surgery will not cure heart disease.
- Brain fog and infections, not to mention graft failures, are real risks.
- After your procedure, your heart health continues to be linked to your lifestyle.
Before opting for the knife and unknowingly signing up for the complications of Bypass surgery, we would recommend speaking to your doctor about non-surgical preferences like EECP, dietary therapy, and reversal plans.
Your heart deserves better. Choose wisely.
Did this blog give you a new mindset? So, show it to someone who needs to know the truth about bypass surgery! For more information on non-invasive heart treatment at SAAOL Heartcare Delhi, contact today.