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PAD Treatment: Recovering from Atherectomy
PAD Treatment: Recovering from AtherectomyWhen you have peripheral artery disease, or PAD, you may require atherectomy torestore blood flow to your neck, arms, or legs, and reduce both the symptoms and thecomplications of PAD. Normally, you can be released from the hospital on the day ofyour atherectomy, or the next day, to begin your recovery at home.At home, follow your discharge instructions carefully. Your discharge instructions willgive you and your loved ones the information you need to continue a healthy recoveryand avoid complications.Get plenty of rest. Your body needs to heal and recover.Do not lift anything greater than 10 pounds for the next day or two.If instructed, drink plenty of fluids.And check your incision site daily for signs of infection. Look for increased swellingaround the incision area; redness, tenderness, soreness; warmth around the area;and an increase in your temperature or fever-like symptoms. If you do notice signs ofinfection, contact your healthcare provider immediately.Some bruising around the incision area is normal and should go away in the next fewweeks. If your incision starts to bleed, lie down, apply pressure to the area and call911.Your discharge plan will include a list of the medications you need to take as yourecover, including pain medication. Make sure you understand this list before youleave the hospital. Some medications may be new to you. You may need to take someof these medications for the next several weeks or months, or you may need to takethem for the rest of your life.Some medications may interact with certain vitamins and supplements. Be honest20% gradient meshabout all of the medications you take. And before starting any new medications,including vitamins and supplements, talk to your healthcare provider.healthclipsIt is a good idea to fill all of your prescriptions at one pharmacy; this way, thehealthclipspharmacist will have a complete list of your medications on file and can alert you toany possible drug interactions.healthclips(cont. next page)healthclips4% 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_10203_98_en_t00002.pdf© Milner-Fenwick, Inc.healthclips5% gradient meshpad treatment: Recovering from AtherectomyTranscript (page 2 of 2)To make sure your medications work correctly, take them exactly as prescribed byyour healthcare provider. This includes taking your medications at the same time eachday. Do not miss a dose. It may help you to develop a system to keep track of all yourmedications, especially if you take more than one kind.As you recover, you may be anxious to get back to doing your normal activities. Talkto your healthcare provider about when you can start being active again and whenyou can return to work.Walking is a healthy activity that many people can do as they recover. Begin slowly,and gradually increase the length and intensity of your walks. Walking can get theblood flowing, reduce your symptoms of PAD and improve your overall health.Even though your atherectomy has reduced a blockage and increased blood flowto your peripheral arteries, you are still at risk for developing future blockages. Ifyou haven’t already done so, talk to your healthcare provider about healthy lifestylechanges you can make to prevent future blood vessel damage.Do not smoke – ever. If you smoked before, you do not anymore. And stay away fromsecondhand smoke.Get regular exercise. Make it a part of your day. Your healthcare provider mayrecommend you attend a cardiac rehabilitation program. There you can be monitoredwhile exercising and also get the emotional support you may need.Make healthy food choices to improve your health. And take your medications asdirected.Atherectomy can relieve many of the symptoms of PAD including pain, and helpprevent long-term complications. Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions asyou recover so you can get back to enjoying life again, as a healthier you.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_10203_98_en_t00002.pdf© Milner-Fenwick, Inc.healthclips5% gradient mesh
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Heart & Vascular Center
See what to expect as you recover from your angioplasty and stenting procedures.
Learn strategies for rating and describing your pain level to members of your cardiac team, so they can treat it.
Watch what you will need to do, and what your healthcare team does, before and immediately after your atherectomy.
Learn the common instructions included in your discharge plan.
