Daily Living – Beating Heart Bypass Surgery, Open-Chest, or MICS Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Overview

Coronary artery bypass surgery might be a way to restore blood flow to the heart. It can’t stop plaque from forming in the arteries. Nor is it a cure for coronary artery disease (CAD). It might help to maintain good results after the beating heart bypass surgery by adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle.

The following lifestyle changes may help prevent or slow the progression of coronary artery disease.

• Maintain a healthy weight – Reduce calorie intake and get more exercise.
• Stop smoking – Nicotine constricts blood vessels and forces the heart to work harder. Carbon monoxide reduces oxygen in the blood and damages the lining of the blood vessels. Quitting smoking is the best way to reduce the risk of a heart attack.
• Control your blood pressure – It may be helpful to check blood pressure readings regularly. In the case of high blood pleasure, follow the doctors indications.
• Control your cholesterol – It may be helpful to check cholesterol readings regularly. It may help to eat fewer high-cholesterol foods, and take cholesterol-lowering medication if prescribed by a doctor.
• Keep diabetes under control – Controlling blood sugar levels may help slow the progression of coronary artery disease.
• Get moving – Exercise may help achieve and maintain a healthy weight. It may also help control diabetes, elevated cholesterol and high blood pressure. As with all exercise programs, seek the advice of a doctor before starting any exercise program.
• Eat healthy foods – A heart-healthy diet based on fruits, vegetables and whole grains - and low in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium may help control weight management, blood pressure and cholesterol. Reducing fat and cholesterol in the diet may help in preventing additional blockages in the arteries.
• Manage stress – It may help to reduce stress as much as possible. Healthy techniques for managing stress, such as muscle relaxation and deep breathing might help.