Coronary artery bypass surgery, also known as cabbage, is a common type of heart surgery. Bypassing is not just a term used on the roadway, although the idea is similar when it comes to heart surgery - meaning the surgery reroutes or bypasses blood around clogged arteries. Cardiothoracic Surgeon Brian Hummel says, "Bypass surgery is the surgical correction of blockages of the coronary arteries, those arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle."

This correction helps to improve blood flow and oxygen to the heart. Dr. Hummel explains there are a number of ways patients can come to the potential of surgery. "Generally its through either the development of the angina of chest pains, usually with exertion or exercise or potentially the patient may have had a heart attack, suddenly without any symptoms or warning signs that occurred prior to that."

You may find it surprising, that whether you're in your twenties or in your nineties, you're just as susceptible for bypass surgery, that's because there is no average age. "No, unfortunately there is not; it's a disease that can afflict an individual throughout their life depending on their risk factors, family history, smoking history, presence of diabetes, obesity cholesterol level, all those factors contribute to the situation of where the plaques can be formed," claims Dr. Hummel.

Plaque is the buildup of fat, cholesterol and other substances on the arteries. These plaques are the common denominator for both stroke and heart attacks. After bypass surgery patients are usually enrolled in a physician-supervised program of cardiac rehabilitation. The program teaches stress management techniques and helps rebuild the patient's strength and confidence.