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Angioplasty: Your Home Recovery
Angioplasty: Your Home RecoveryTranscript (page 1 of 3)Before you are released from the hospital following your angioplasty, a member ofyour healthcare team will give you written discharge instructions. These will helpguide your recovery between the time you get home, and your follow-up appointment.If you find when you arrive home that you are unclear about something, callyour contact person listed on your discharge information. Follow your dischargeinstructions to get back to your normal activities quickly.The place on your arm or leg where the catheter was inserted will just be starting toheal; so for the first week, don’t do anything to strain it. No lifting, pushing or pullinganything that weighs 10 pounds or more, like grocery bags or garbage cans, thevacuum cleaner or the lawnmower. Don’t strain during bowel movements and nodriving for the first two days.You may feel some discomfort in your leg as you go up and down stairs, so try to limityour trips for the first few days. In general, don’t overdo it. Whenever you feel tired,stop what you are doing and rest.“You going to take a rest?”“Yep.”“Okay.”To avoid complications, follow your discharge instructions for incision care. Keep aBand-Aid® on the insertion site for the first 24 hours, then remove it.You can usually start taking showers the day you get home, but no baths for the firstthree days. Shower normally using your regular soap. Be gentle with the insertionsite. Carefully pat it dry – don’t rub it. And do not use lotions or powders on the site.20% gradient meshCheck the catheter insertion site every day for signs of infection. Call your doctor if thesite is red, swollen, warm to your touch, or draining; if you have a temperature over100 degrees Fahrenheit; or if you have any swelling, numbness or weakness inthe leghealthclipsor arm used as the insertion site.healthclipsSome bruising is normal. It may spread from the insertion site down your leg or arm,and change color from purple to yellow-green before gradually fading away. healthclipshealthclips(cont. next page)4% gradient meshThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, orsuitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.hc_ha_10212_98_en_t00002.pdf © Milner-Fenwick, Inc.healthclips5% gradient meshAngioplasty: Your Home RecoveryTranscript (page 2 of 3)Watch for bleeding at the insertion site. If you see a small amount of blood, don’t beoverly concerned, but do let your doctor know. However, if the bleeding is heavy orforceful, put pressure directly on the insertion site or have someone do it for you. Andcall 911 immediately.Two things will determine how quickly you can get back to your normal routine – yourdoctor’s advice and how you feel. Many patients return to their regular activities withina week.“The day after, I was able to pretty much, to have a normal routine. I was able togo outside with the grandkids, which I love to do. And I just wasn’t able to pickthem up. But we were still able to have fun outside and go for a walk or such.That was allowed.”You may have to take it more slowly, especially if you’ve had a heart attack. Whetheryou have had a heart attack or not, your doctor may prescribe cardiac rehabilitation.This is a very important part of your recovery and you should make every attempt tocomplete the rehabilitation program.If cardiac rehabilitation was not prescribed, it will be important to increase yourphysical activity on your own. As soon as your second day home, or as your doctoradvises, you can begin to take short walks.At first, try walking about the same distance you walked when you were in thehospital. Then, day by day, gradually increase the distance and pace according to howyou feel.If you become very tired, short of breath or dizzy, or if you have any chest discomfort,you’re probably overdoing it and should stop and rest. This may make the symptomsgo away, but you should still tell your doctor about them. The next time you walk, tryslowing your pace and cutting back on the distance.20% gradient meshIf the symptoms don’t go away after you’ve rested, take nitroglycerin as directed. If thesymptoms continue, or get worse, call 911.healthclipshealthclipsVery hot and humid or very cold weather can be hard on your heart, so on those daysdon’t stay outside longer than a few minutes. Try an indoor walking route instead.From now on, exercise should be a regular part of your life.healthclipshealthclips(cont. next page)4% gradient meshThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, orsuitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.hc_ha_10212_98_en_t00002.pdf © Milner-Fenwick, Inc.healthclips5% gradient meshAngioplasty: Your Home RecoveryTranscript (page 3 of 3)Your doctor will let you know when you can return to work. Many patients are back attheir jobs within a few days to two weeks, depending upon the kind of work they do.Make sure you attend your follow-up appointment. It is usually scheduled a week ortwo after you leave the hospital. At this appointment, ask your doctor any questionsyou may have about your recovery and future heart health.20% gradient meshhealthclipshealthclipshealthclipshealthclips4% gradient meshThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, orsuitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.hc_ha_10212_98_en_t00002.pdf © Milner-Fenwick, Inc.healthclips5% gradient mesh
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