Discharge Instructions Following
Angioplasty or Stent
Care of your Groin site
It is important to check your groin site after you go
home. Some pinkness and mild bruising is normal.
However, if you notice redness, swelling, or drainage
at the puncture site, or any numbness, tingling or pain
in that leg, you should contact your doctor as soon as
possible.
Keep the puncture site clean and dry and do not rub it
excessively. You may wash it with soap and warm
water, but take only showers for a week (no hot baths).
If any bleeding occurs at the puncture site apply
pressure till it stops, then cover it with a bandage.
Notify your physician if any bleeding should occur
Activity
Take it easy for the first couple of days with gentle
walking and climbing of stairs, rest after meals.
Slowly increase your activity until you reach normal
activity levels, no heavy housework for 7-10 days. Do
not lift anything heavier than 5 Kilograms for one
week after the procedure.
If you are in a physically demanding job, please ask
for a work restriction order for the first week.
Otherwise, you may return to work on
Lifestyle changes
You have coronary artery disease. Medications,
stents or angioplasty will help control the symptoms
and prevent damage to the heart muscle, but the only
way to halt progression of the disease and in some
cases reverse the disease, is to make permanent
lifestyle changes:
• If you smoke: quit!!
• Enjoy a diet low in fat and cholesterol, avoid
animal fat and saturated fatty acids generally
meaning fat that is solid at room temperature such as
butter, margarine, shortening.
• Lose excess weight, and keep it off.
• Exercise regularly (consult with your doctor first)
• Keep your blood pressure under control
You can do this on your own, however many people
benefit from a structured cardiac rehabilitation
program. If you are interested in such a program,
contact your doctor or nurse for more information.
Medications
Plavix (clopidogrel) is a medication that will help
prevent your stent from closing off. You may be
required to take it for 3 months or longer, and it is ok
to take it with aspirin or any of your other
medications. Be sure that you finish taking the entire
prescription of Plavix.
Nitroclycerine/lsordil is a medication used to relieve
chest pain. It works by dilating the coronary arteries,
thereby improving the blood supply to your heart
muscle. It comes in either tablets or spray and is
taken under the tongue. Allow the tablets to dissolve
under the tongue (do not chew or swallow them). A
headache commonly occurs after taking
nitroglycerin. Keep the nitroglycerin tablets stored
in the original container and carry it with you at all
times. Once opened, it needs to be replaced every 6
months.
If Chest Pain Occurs, sit down and try to relax. If it
does not go away within a few minutes, place the
nitroglycerin tablet (or spray) under your tongue. If
the pain isn’t gone in 5 minutes, take a second dose
in the same manner and wait 5 more minutes. You
may then take a 3 dose, and if the pain is not relieved
within 5 minutes after the 3 tablet, have someone
drive you to the emergency room.