heart bypass patient longevity

[skip44]

I am a 60 year old male. I bypass surgery 12 years ago. They did 5 arteries, one using the mammery artery from my chest and the other 4 from my leg vein. My question is, assumming I have made the necessary life style changes, diet, exericise, etc. what do studies say about how long these grafts will last before a new procedure might be needed? Could I live into my 80's with the old grafts?......thanks......Skip

[Cleveland Clinic]

Vein grafts, on average, last only about 10 years or so.  The mammary artery should be good for life.  The most important thing is that you have the mammary artery attached to your coronaries because this is the only thing that will prolong your life.  The grafts do not.  And that's good because often times these grafts close up without any major consequences.  As long as you feel well and are not having any chest pressure or exertional shortness of breath, you are ok.  

[noahh5]

Skip,

Most people who have had coronary artery disease and have had stents or bypass surgery are recommended to check up with their cardiologist and get a stress test once a year... Start by making an appointment with your cardiologist and mention your concern about not having had a stress test in awhile. Since it has been so long since your CABG, they are likely to do one and this would be a pretty good indicator if your heart is still getting adequate blood flow.

[skip44]

Thank you much for your quick response to my question. If the grafts close up after 10 years or so, how is the heart able to get enough blood flow with just the mammary graft being open?......I have not had a stress test for about 10 years,,,,should I be having one on any regular bases.....thanks.....skip44

[tabilong]

A related discussion, Heart by-pass was started.

[chico614]

A related discussion, longivity was started.