Coronary angioplasty discharge instructions (patient information)

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor-In-Chief: Mohammed A. Sbeih, M.D.[2] Phone:617-849-2629

Overview

If you have coronary artery disease, the arteries in your heart are narrowed or blocked by a sticky material called plaque. Angioplasty is a procedure to restore blood flow through the artery. The doctor threads a thin tube through a blood vessel in the arm or groin up to the involved site in the artery. The tube has a tiny balloon on the end. When the tube is in place, the doctor inflates the balloon to push the plaque outward against the wall of the artery. This widens the artery and restores blood flow. Doctors may use angioplasty to:

• Reduce chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart
• Minimize damage to heart muscle from a heart attack

When could I drive after the procedure?

You should not drive for 48 hours after the procedure.

What medications should I take after the procedure?

• Aspirin every day - usually for the rest of your life. Ask your doctor about the dose you should take.
• Plavix (clopidogrel) and Effient (prasugrel) may be used in addition to Aspirin to decrease the risk of a blood clot forming in the heart artery.

You will be given a list of all medicines you should take once you are at home. Ask your doctor whether you should go back to taking the medications I were on before the procedure. Be sure your doctor knows about everything you are taking.

Should I take any OTC pain medications?

You may take acetaminophen (Tylenol) every six hours as needed for pain in the area where the catheter was placed. Please be sure you are not taking more than one product containing acetaminophen, and do not take more Tylenol than what is recommended on the label.

When may I resume my regular activities?

One week after the procedure, you may resume your regular activities, including sexual activity. For at least one week, you should not lift, push, or pull anything heavier than 10 pounds or do any exercise that causes you to hold your breath and bear down with your abdominal muscles. Take care not to put strain on your abdominal muscles when coughing, sneezing, or moving your bowels. After one week, we suggest that you begin your exercise program at half your usual routine for the first few days, then gradually work back to your full routine. Please note: If you have recently had a heart attack, different exercise instructions apply. Please talk with your doctor about your exercise instructions.

When should I bathe or swim?

Usually after one week, when the puncture site is healed. This usually takes about a week. You may shower on the day after the procedure after removing the Band-Aid over your puncture site.

When I may go back to work?

It depends on the type of your work. you can ask your doctor when you can go back to work.

Follow-up care

Make an appointment to see your doctor within two weeks.