When to Call the Doctor After Bypass Surgery

Call your healthcare team if you have any of these symptoms:

  • Fever of 100.4˚F (38˚C) or higher, or as directed by your healthcare provider

  • Unexplained chills or sweating

  • Sharp pain in the chest when taking a deep breath

  • Bleeding from the incision sites

  • Belly (abdominal) pain, nausea, constipation, or vomiting that doesn't go away

  • Increasing pain that doesn't get better after taking pain medicine

  • Swelling, redness, oozing, or cloudy discharge at the incision sites

  • Unexplained bruising

  • Continued sensation of motion or clicking sounds in your breastbone

  • Sudden weight gain (tell your healthcare provider if you gain 1 to 2 pounds within 24 hours or more overnight, or 5 pounds or more in 1 week)

  • Increased swelling of the legs, especially on the side where the vein was not removed

  • Drainage or foul-smelling odor from the incisions on the chest or leg

Man talking on phone.

Call 911

Call 911 right away if you have any of these symptoms:

  • Shortness of breath or trouble breathing not relieved by rest

  • Angina or chest pain symptoms

  • Sudden severe headache
  • Sudden weakness and numbness in the face, arms, or legs, or difficulty speaking

  • Dizziness or fainting spells

  • Fast heartbeat, extremely slow heartbeat, or irregular heartbeat