Ask the doctor: How risky is bypass surgery?
Ask the doctor
The risk of complications due to surgery and anesthesia is only half of the issue. You should also be asking, "How does the risk of problems from bypass surgery compare with my outlook if I use medications alone?" People with several narrowed arteries and a weakened left ventricle run a relatively high risk of complications with surgery. But they face even higher chances of trouble down the road if they don't have surgery. So most experts recommend this operation for people who fit this description.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online Plus (HHO+) to unlock expert-backed health insights, personalized tools, and exclusive resources to feel your best every day.
Here’s what you get with your HHO+ membership:
- Unlimited access to all Harvard Health Online content
- 4 expertly curated newsletters delivered monthly
- Customized website experience aligned to your health goals
- In-depth health guides on topics like sleep, exercise, and more
- Interactive features like videos and quizzes
- Members-only access to exclusive articles and resources
I’d like to subscribe to HHO+ for $4.99/month to access expert-backed content to help make smart, informed decisions about my well-being.
Sign Me UpAlready a member? Login ».
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.