The heart is one of the primary organs in the body. It is responsible for pumping blood around the body, thus maintaining the body’s blood pressure and ensuring that nutrition and oxygen are carried to the muscles of the body. The same applies to the heart itself. There is a system of blood vessels that serves the heart. This is known as the coronary blood circulation system. The coronary arteries are the blood vessels that provide fresh oxygenated blood to the heart in order to allow it to perform its functions. These arteries are capable of increasing the rate of blood flow when the heart is exerting itself and reducing the rate of blood flow when the heart is at rest, that is, pumping very slowly.
A coronary artery bypass procedure is a procedure where a portion of an artery that is blocked is bypassed using a surgical procedure. In this procedure, another piece of an artery harvested from elsewhere in the body is placed in such a way that it begins before and terminates after the blockage. In this way, the blood is given a new route to pass, allowing the resumption of relatively normal blood flow to the heart.
In terms of coronary artery bypass graft precautions it is important for the surgical team to make sure that some precautions are followed, particularly if the patient is ill or susceptible to illness. The fragile health of the patient is a condition that must be taken into consideration. Other coronary artery bypass graft precautions include testing of the patient for possible allergies and other complications that might affect the surgery.
However, the more important coronary artery bypass graft precautions are related to the post operative condition for the patient. Once the patient has undergone a coronary artery bypass, he or she must avoid certain physical activities which could cause damage to the surgical incision or the bypass valve itself. Vigorous physical activity is usually banned by doctors. Any activity that involves lifting of weight is also avoidable at this stage. The patient must not perform any activity that involves moving the hands above the head. This would even include something as simple as taking an item off a high level shelf. These coronary artery bypass graft precautions require immense self discipline from the patient because many normal daily activities are restricted. Once the doctor has re-examined the patient, normal activity may resume after consultation of the doctor.