About this topic
Peripheral vascular disease is also called PVD. It is a health problem of blood vessels in your body. The arteries in the legs, to the kidneys, and other parts of the body get a build up of a fatty substance called plaque. The angioplasty opened up the artery that was blocked by plaque. A stent was put in to keep the artery open. ‚
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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.
- You may have some pain after the procedure. The doctor may order some pain drug for you. Take it as ordered.
- Do not cross your legs.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor:
- 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 or driving
- Be sure to wash your hands before touching your cut site or dressing.
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.
- If you have stitches or staples, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks.
What lifestyle changes are needed?
- Keep a normal weight. If you are too heavy, lose weight.
- Keep blood pressure, cholesterol, and high blood sugar under control.
- Stop smoking. It can make your PVD worse.
- Exercise regularly. A 30-minute workout at least 5 days per week will help keep your heart healthy.
What drugs may be needed?
Your doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Lower blood pressure
- Prevent or break up blood clots
- Control heartbeat
- Lower cholesterol
- Help with pain
- Help you relax
Will physical activity be limited?
- You may have to limit your activity. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you.
- Limit your walking to flat surfaces and do not go up and down stairs for a few days. Start with 3 to 4 short walks each day and then slowly add to the amount of time and distance.
What changes to diet are needed?
Eating a healthy diet is important during this time. Ask to see a dietician for help with a plan that is right for you. In general, eating healthy means: ‚
- Eat whole grain foods and foods high in fiber.
- Choose many different fruits and vegetables. Fresh or frozen is best.
- Cut back on solid fats like butter or margarine. Eat less fatty or processed foods.
- Eat more low fat or lean meats like chicken, fish, or turkey. Eat less red meat.
- Limit beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol).
- Avoid caffeine.
What problems could happen?
- Infection
- Bleeding. If you see a lot of bleeding or if the bleeding will not stop, call the doctor right away.
- Clot in the artery
- Injury to the artery
- Artery gets clogged again
- The stent breaks
When do I need to call the doctor?
Activate the emergency medical system right away if you have signs of a heart attack or stroke. Call 911 in the United States or Canada. The sooner treatment begins, the better your chances for recovery. Call for emergency help right away if you have: ‚
- Signs of heart attack:
- Chest pain
- Trouble breathing
- Fast heartbeat
- Feeling dizzy
- Signs of stroke:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
- Numbness, tingling, weakness, or very bad pain in your foot.
- Your foot becomes cold, pale, or turns blue.
Call your doctor if you have: ‚
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the cut site; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody drainage; very bad smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- Very bad leg pain
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 changes I need to make with my diet or activities.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have signs of a heart attack or stroke.
Where can I learn more?
American Heart Association ‚
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/More/PeripheralArteryDisease/About-Peripheral-Artery-Disease-PAD_UCM_301301_Article.jsp ‚
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/More/PeripheralArteryDisease/Prevention-and-Treatment-of-PAD_UCM_301308_Article.jsp ‚
Vascular Disease Foundation ‚
http://vasculardisease.org/peripheral-artery-disease/ ‚
http://vasculardisease.org/peripheral-artery-disease/pad-treatment/endovascular-therapy/ ‚
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. ‚