Discharge Instructions for Coronary Angioplasty and Stenting

You just underwent an angioplasty. During your angioplasty, a doctor inserted a thin tube called a catheter into a blood vessel in your groin or wrist. The catheter was pushed through your blood vessel to a blocked area in one of your heart’s arteries. The doctor inflated a tiny balloon at the tip of the catheter and stretched the blocked vessel so blood could flow freely. The balloon was then deflated and removed with the catheter. The doctor inserted a metal mesh tube called a stent in the blocked vessel. The stent will help the vessel stay open.

Home care

• Ask someone to drive you to your appointments for the next few days.

• Rest for 2-3 days after the procedure. Most patients are able to resume normal activity within a few days.

• Take your temperature and check your incision for signs of infection (redness, swelling, drainage, or warmth) every day for a week. It is normal to have a small bruise or bump where the catheter was inserted.

• Unless directed otherwise, drink 2 liters of fluid over the next 24 hours to help flush your body of the dye that was used during your angioplasty.

• Eat a healthy diet that is low in fat, salt, and cholesterol. Ask your doctor for menus and other diet information.

• Exercise according to your doctor's recommendation.

• Avoid swimming or taking baths for 5-7 days. You may shower the day after the procedure.

Taking medications

• Take your medications exactly as directed. Do not skip doses.

• Take aspirin for as long as your doctor advises. 

• Take prescribed antiplatelet medication such as Clopidogrel (Plavix), Prasugrel (Effient), or Ticagrelor (Brilinta) as directed. This is needed to prevent blood clots from forming on the stent. Do not stop taking this medication for any reason unless you talk to the cardiologist who inserted the stent.  Do not have any dental procedures or any surgeries that are not an emergency for the next 12 months unless you talk to the cardiologist who inserted the stent.   If you stop taking this medication too early you can increase your risk of a heart attack and death.

Follow-up

• Make a follow-up appointment as directed by our staff.
• Ask your health care provider if you qualify for cardiac rehabilitation (“cardiac rehab”).
  • Cardiac rehab is a professionally supervised program designed by your health care team. It will help you recover from your heart problem and reduce your risk of future heart problems. Along with a tailored exercise program, cardiac rehab provides education and counseling to improve health.

When to call your doctor

Call your doctor immediately if you have any of the following:

• Chest pain or a return of the symptoms you had prior to the angioplasty

• Constant or increasing pain or numbness in your leg, or if your leg looks blue or feels cold

• Fever above 101.0°F (38.3°C) or other signs of infection (redness, swelling, drainage, or warmth at the incision site of the leg or wrist)

• Shortness of breath

• Bleeding, bruising, or a large swelling where the catheter (tube) was inserted

• Blood in your urine

• Black or tarry stools