Thanks. Because I’m entering that danger zone, bypass surgery is most often elective. It’s just without it, the prognosis is not good. At 82, Armstrong was facing a risky proposition. Yes, surgery on August 7, 2012, and he passed on August 25th. Kinda/sorta makes the point that surgery (and recovery) at that age can be iffy.
If I were 82 I’d let nature take its course rather than have open heart surgery with current technology. Same goes for some chemo treatments.
John Glenn had a successful valve replacement a couple of years ago in his mid nineties. My guess is they used the new catheter technique rather than opening his chest.