Heart bypass surgery is a medical procedure that helps restore blood flow to the heart. The correct spelling of the word is [hɑːrt] [ˈbaɪ.pæs] in IPA phonetic transcription. The first part of the word, "heart," is pronounced with a long "a" sound, and the second part, "bypass," is pronounced with a short "i" and "a" sound, respectively. The "p" in "bypass" is silent, making the pronunciation "buy-pass" instead of "bye-pass." This surgical intervention is typically needed for individuals who have coronary artery disease or have suffered a heart attack.
Heart bypass, also known as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), is a surgical procedure that aims to restore blood flow to the heart muscle when one or more of the coronary arteries become severely narrowed or blocked. The coronary arteries supply oxygen-rich blood and nutrients to the heart, and when they are obstructed, the heart may not receive enough blood, leading to chest pain (angina) and increasing the risk of a heart attack.
During a heart bypass, a surgeon creates new pathways for blood to flow to the heart by using healthy blood vessels harvested from elsewhere in the body, such as the chest, leg, or arm. These blood vessels, known as grafts, are then connected to the blocked coronary arteries, bypassing the blockage and allowing blood to flow freely to the heart muscle.
The procedure is typically performed under general anesthesia, and patients are monitored closely throughout the surgery. Heart bypass surgery may involve one, two, three, or more grafts depending on the number and location of the blocked coronary arteries.
Heart bypass is considered a major surgical procedure and is most commonly performed to treat severe coronary artery disease. It aims to relieve symptoms, improve heart function, and reduce the risk of future heart-related complications. Post-surgery, patients usually require a recovery period in the hospital followed by a supervised cardiac rehabilitation program to ensure proper healing and regain strength.
The word "heart bypass" is composed of two separate parts: "heart" and "bypass".
"Heart" originated from the Old English word "heorte" and has Germanic roots, ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European word "kerd", meaning "heart". The word has remained relatively unchanged in its form and meaning throughout history.
"Bypass" is a compound word consisting of "by" and "pass". "By" comes from the Old English word "bi", which means "near" or "by", and "pass" derives from the Old French word "passer", meaning "to go by". When combined, "bypass" refers to "going by" or "avoiding", and it entered the English language in the mid-18th century.