Atherosclerosis Risk- Does having atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries mean you can't have surgery?

Does having atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries mean you can't have surgery? If you weren't aware that you had it and had surgery would you die? I ask as it's apparently very common in older adults and most people have some plaque in their arteries so is it something that doesn't really contradict elective surgery unless its severe?