About this topic
Normally, you have many blood vessels that supply blood to the heart muscle. If one of them is blocked, your doctor will try to restore normal blood flow. This is called angioplasty. You may need to have this done if your signs do not get better with lifestyle changes and drugs. A special tube with a balloon is used to open the narrow artery. This is also called a catheter. You may have had this done on more than one blocked blood vessel. After this procedure, you may have more blood flow to your heart muscle. This may lower your risk of heart attack or chest pain. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Your doctor may want you to take part in a heart rehab program. This may help with your healing and improve your heart function.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages
- When you may take a bath or shower
- If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work, driving, or sex
- If your cut site starts to bleed, lie down. Put pressure on it until the bleeding stops.
- Be sure to wash your hands before and after touching your wound or dressing.
- Stop smoking. Your doctor can help you about how to slowly stop smoking.
- Lower stress. Find ways how to cope with your stress or talk to your doctor about it.
- Lose weight or keep a healthy weight.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. Your doctor may do some tests and change your drugs if needed. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Prevent blood clots
- Help with pain
Be sure to take the drugs as ordered by your doctor. ‚
Will physical activity be limited?
- You may have to limit your activity for a few days. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you.
- Exercise regularly. Talk with your doctor about what exercise is safe for you. Be sure to ask your doctor before you start any new activities.
What changes to diet are needed?
Eat a heart healthy diet with foods low in fat, sugar, and salt. Eat high-fiber foods such as whole grains, fruits, and veggies. Ask your doctor to plan a visit with a dietician if you need help with your diet. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Allergy to the dye used
- Numbness, cold, or blue color to arm or leg of catheter site
- Chest pain
- Irregular heartbeat
- Bleeding
- Infection
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of a very bad reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; chest pain; shortness of breath, bad cough; blue skin color; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat. Go to the ER right away.
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, redness, swelling, drainage, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, or wound that will not heal.
- Your arm, hand, leg, or foot is painful, swollen, cool, or looks a different color
- You feel dizzy, faint, or very tired
- Health problem is not better or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my procedure.
- I can tell you how to care for my cut site.
- I can tell you what I will do if my arm, hand, leg, or foot is painful, swollen, cool, or a different color.
Where can I learn more?
Better Health Channel ‚
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Coronary_angiogram ‚
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute ‚
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/angioplasty/after.html ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronary-angioplasty/pages/introduction.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚