Angioplasty and Stents for Heart Disease Treatment
Angioplasty and Stents for Heart Disease Treatment
If a stent was placed during the angioplasty procedure, you will need to take platelet-blocking medications to reduce the possibility of a blood clot forming near the newly implanted stent.
When you have recovered sufficiently from the procedure and have talked with your doctor about your follow-up care, you will be able to go home.
You will need to take it easy for a few days after an angioplasty. You may climb stairs, but use a slower pace. Do not strain during bowel movements.
Gradually increase your activities until you reach your normal activity level by the end of the week.
If your angioplasty was performed by inserting the catheter in the artery at your wrist or arm, then the doctor will place a special bandage to ensure that it heals properly. You will wear this for a couple of hours, then the doctor or other provider will remove it and check to see if the artery has sufficiently healed. Lying down will not be necessary in this case.
While procedures performed during coronary angioplasty will open a blocked artery, they will not cure coronary artery disease. Lifestyle factors that can worsen coronary artery disease, such as smoking and diet, will still need to be modified. An exercise program will also be prescribed to improve your cardiac health. In addition, you may need to take one or more medications for heart disease.
In this article
- What Happens During Angioplasty?
- What Types of Interventional Procedures Are Used in Angioplasty?
- What Can I Expect Before an Angioplasty?
- What Happens After an Angioplasty?
- Can Angioplasty Cure Coronary Artery Disease?
What Happens After an Angioplasty? continued...
If a stent was placed during the angioplasty procedure, you will need to take platelet-blocking medications to reduce the possibility of a blood clot forming near the newly implanted stent.
When you have recovered sufficiently from the procedure and have talked with your doctor about your follow-up care, you will be able to go home.
You will need to take it easy for a few days after an angioplasty. You may climb stairs, but use a slower pace. Do not strain during bowel movements.
Gradually increase your activities until you reach your normal activity level by the end of the week.
If your angioplasty was performed by inserting the catheter in the artery at your wrist or arm, then the doctor will place a special bandage to ensure that it heals properly. You will wear this for a couple of hours, then the doctor or other provider will remove it and check to see if the artery has sufficiently healed. Lying down will not be necessary in this case.
Can Angioplasty Cure Coronary Artery Disease?
While procedures performed during coronary angioplasty will open a blocked artery, they will not cure coronary artery disease. Lifestyle factors that can worsen coronary artery disease, such as smoking and diet, will still need to be modified. An exercise program will also be prescribed to improve your cardiac health. In addition, you may need to take one or more medications for heart disease.
