Once the coronary arteries become narrow due to plaque buildup, the supply of oxygen-rich blood to the heart is disrupted. The demand increases during periods where the heart is beating hard, such is during exercise, climbing stairs or any other strenuous activity. Blocked artery symptoms will not be evident in the initial years but as plaque continues to build up in the arteries, patients may develop certain signs and symptoms including the following:
1. Chest Pain 2. Shortness of breath
3. Heart attack

Coronary bypass surgery is a procedure that restores blood flow to your heart muscle by diverting the flow of blood around a section of a blocked artery in your heart. Coronary bypass surgery uses a healthy blood vessel taken from your leg, arm, chest or abdomen and connects it to the other arteries in your heart so that blood is bypassed around the diseased or blocked area. After coronary bypass surgery, blood flow to your heart is improved. Coronary bypass surgery is just one option to treat heart disease.

Coronary bypass surgery improves symptoms, such as chest pain and shortness of breath due to poor blood flow to the heart. In some situations, coronary bypass surgery may improve your heart function and reduce your risk of dying of heart disease.

Coronary artery disease can be managed with lifestyle changes and medication. Early diagnosis can be very helpful in taking some measures to keep blood cholesterol in check or manage other risk factors. The approach is to prevent extensive damage to the heart and prevent heart attack.

In cases where a surgery is performed to remove the arterial block or bypass the heart block it is important to follow the doctor's instructions. Medication should be taken regularly and lifestyle changes to be followed promptly. Heart attack can happen again in some cases and hence proper measures to be taken to prevent the 2nd heart attack. In these cases appropriate measures to be taken to get urgent medical attention.