Using this guide What's covered
Here you’ll find the answers to many of your questions about coronary artery bypass graft surgery and how it can treat heart problems. Learn how it works, what it may cost, what your recovery may be like, and more.
To see how the surgery is done, view our animation below. For personal insights, see our patient experience videos in which HCF members talk frankly about their preparation, surgery and recovery.
Cost indicator
Discover the typical-out-of-pocket costs HCF members can expect to pay for coronary artery bypass graft surgery and learn how your choice of doctor and hospital affect that cost.
The basics
What is a coronary artery bypass graft?
A healthy artery or vein (taken from your arm, leg, or the inside of your chest) is grafted on to the coronary artery to improve blood flow to your heart. Over 17,000 of these surgeries are performed in Australia every year.
Coronary artery bypass grafts are used to treat coronary artery disease, which occurs when a build-up of plaque (consisting of fatty deposits, cholesterol and calcium) sticks to the walls of the arteries, causing narrowing and blockages. This reduces the blood flow to the heart, which may cause clots that can result in a heart attack.
The main risk factors for coronary artery disease are:
- Eating a lot of saturated fat
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Inactivity
- Unstable diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- A family history of heart disease
Signs you may need coronary artery bypass graft surgery
You may need the surgery if your coronary arteries are narrowed or blocked and you have symptoms like:
- Chest pain (angina)
- Shortness of breath
The details
Considering surgery
How coronary artery bypass graft surgery works
Coronary artery disease and how coronary artery bypass graft surgery is used to treat it.
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Alternatives to surgery
Surgical and non-surgical methods of treating coronary artery disease.
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Results vs risks of surgery
The benefits and potential complications of coronary artery
bypass graft surgery.
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Choosing a specialist
How to find a surgeon who specialises in your procedure.
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Preparation
Questions for your surgeon and anaesthetist
What you should be asking before going ahead with surgery.
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Preparing for surgery
Pre-operative tests and imaging.
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Your anaesthetic options
The type of anaesthetic and post-op pain relief you may be offered.
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Your surgery
Going to hospital
What to expect on the day of the procedure.
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Your procedure
What happens in the operating theatre.
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Recovery and aftercare
After surgery
Your hospital stay.
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Back at home
Rehab, aftercare and lifestyle modifications.
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Patient experiences
HCF members who’ve had coronary artery bypass graft surgery talk about preparation, their hospital stay and recovery.
View videos
Coping after a heart attack
Here, people who've had a heart attack talk about the impact it had on their lives and how they've since changed their habits, and their outlook on life.
View videos
Give us feedback
Did you find this guide helpful? Let us know what you liked or what we can do to improve it. We'd love to hear from you.
To provide feedback, email us at wellbeing@hcf.com.au.
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Important information
Information is provided by HCF in good faith for the convenience of members. It is not an endorsement or recommendation of any form of treatment nor is it a substitute for medical advice, and you should rely on the advice of your treating doctors in relation to all matters concerning your health. Every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information, however HCF takes no responsibility for any injury, loss, damage or other consequences of the use of this information.