Heart Health Heart Disease Treatment Triple Bypass Surgery: Long-Term Care By Kathleen Gaines, MSN, RN, CBC linkedin Kathleen Gaines, MSN, RN, CBC, is a pediatric ICU nurse and health journalist, as well as an adjunct clinical faculty member at hospitals in the Philadelphia area. Learn about our editorial process Kathleen Gaines, MSN, RN, CBC Published on December 21, 2020 Print Table of Contents View All Benefits of Surgery Possible Future Surgeries Lifestyle Adjustments Triple bypass surgery, also known as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), is an open-heart surgical procedure performed when a person has three blocked or partially blocked coronary arteries in the heart. Each vessel needs to be bypassed in order to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle. While the surgery aims to correct the immediate problem, attention to long-term healthy lifestyle changes is needed to address the underlying arteriosclerosis and prevent the development of blockages in the future. FG Trade / Getty Images Benefits of Surgery While the ultimate purpose of a triple bypass procedure is to ensure the delivery of oxygen to the heart muscle, other benefits of the procedure include: Improving quality of lifeDecreasing angina and other coronary heart disease symptomsAbility to resume a more active lifestyleImproving the pumping action of the heart if it has been damaged by a heart attackLowering the risk of a heart attackImproving the chance of survivalImproving memory function and cognitive skillsDecreasing the risk for strokeDecreasing arrhythmias Possible Future Surgeries Future surgeries are always a possibility after undergoing triple bypass surgery. If dramatic lifestyle changes are not made, then you may need to have additional bypass surgeries or stents placed. Triple bypass surgery does not correct the underlying coronary artery disease. That is changed through modification in diet, exercise, and lifestyle. Without making the appropriate changes, the consequences could be dire. Bypass reoperation surgery is very difficult and often has a higher incidence of morbidity and mortality. Lifestyle Adjustments Triple bypass surgery fixes the current problem; however, it does not prevent future plaque build-up or heart attacks. After surgery it is important to make significant lifestyle changes in order to prevent future complications. Healthy Diet Consume a diet that includes high in omega-3 fatty acids and low in saturated and trans fats. Control portion size, eat more fruits and vegetables, eat whole grains, and reduce sodium. Speaking to a nutritionist can help develop a plan for a healthier eating lifestyle. The American Heart Association recommends the DASH diet which stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. The DASH diet includes: Whole grainsA variety of whole, fresh (not canned or processed) fruits and vegetablesLow-fat dairy productsSkinless poultry and fishLegumes, including beans and lentilsA small number of nuts and seeds, several times per weekA controlled, small amount of red meat, sweets, or fatsLimited sodium levelsLimited amounts of lean red meatLow in trans fat, saturated fat, and total fat Benefits of the DASH Diet Smoking Cessation Smoking damages artery walls and directly contributes to coronary artery disease. Quitting smoking slows the progression of your heart disease. The American Heart Association has a variety of resources available to you to help quit including support groups aimed at helping individuals stop smoking. How Smoking Affects Your Heart Engage in Physical Activity Physical activity is important not only for physical well being but also mental. Once you have received clearance from your healthcare provider try to engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity a day. Moderate-intensity means an activity that's strenuous enough to leave you slightly breathless. Activities may include: Mowing the lawnTennisHikingPower walkingBicycling on a flat surface Weight Loss Consult your healthcare provider regarding the ideal body mass index (BMI) for your body. Losing weight will take dedication but can help prevent heart attacks and worsening coronary artery disease. In order to lose weight a combination of diet and exercise should be followed. Limit Alcohol Intake According to the Dietary Guideline for Americans, women should not have more than one drink per day and men no more than two drinks per day. This definition refers to the amount consumed on any single day and is not intended as an average over several days. Other measures include decreasing stress, anxiety, and depression and controlling high blood pressure and high cholesterol. A Word From Verywell While triple bypass surgery can be scary and is a very serious operation, it is feasible to manage the underlying coronary artery disease through lifestyle modifications including diet, exercise, smoking cessation, and stress reduction. There are numerous resources available to you, talk to your healthcare provider to find the next best steps on the road to recovery and a healthier you. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Did you know the most common forms of heart disease are largely preventable? Our guide will show you what puts you at risk, and how to take control of your heart health. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Bakaeen FG, Akras Z, Svensson LG. Redo coronary artery bypass grafting. Indian J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2018 Dec;34(Suppl 3):272-278. doi:10.1007/s12055-018-0651-1 American Heart Association. The American Heart Association diet and lifestyle recommendations. Updated August 15, 2017. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. "2015 – 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans." 8th Edition. December 2015.