Docs warn of heart attack risk years after bypass surgery

Anantapur: A 70-year-old man from Anantapur district, who underwent triple-vessel bypass (CABG) in 2008, recently suffered a heart attack with heart failure—highlighting a serious but often overlooked risk among post-bypass patients. Cardiologists say 30–40% of bypass patients develop new or recurrent blockages within 10–15 years, particularly in vein grafts, putting them at risk of fresh cardiac events even decades later.

The patient reported chest pain, breathlessness, and reduced heart pumping efficiency—symptoms often mistaken for ageing or fatigue, especially in rural areas. Angiography revealed critical vein graft blockages, including the Right Coronary Artery. He was treated at Medicover Hospitals, where two stents were placed using IVUS imaging under the care of Dr. Pramod Kumar Kuchulakanti. He was discharged within 24 hours and is stable. Doctors note men above 55 account for nearly 70% of post-bypass complications. Warning signs include chest pain, breathlessness, fatigue, swelling of feet, and reduced exercise tolerance.

Experts advise follow-up angiograms five years after bypass, regular monitoring of BP, sugar, and cholesterol, adherence to medications, periodic 2D echocardiography, and avoiding smoking and alcohol. Early detection and timely intervention can prevent heart failure and save lives.