Having an Angiogram - Patient Information Cardiac Catheterisation Is an x-ray test, which will provide vital information about the

condition insid e your heart and how well the pumping chambers and valves are working. Most impo rtantly, it can show if there is any narrowing in the coronary arteries. This di agnostic test will be used to plan the best treatment for you: medical treatment , bypass surgery, angioplasty and stent. Cardiac catheterisation is a routine, safe procedure but, like all surgical proc edures it is associated with a small risk of complications and it is therefore, necessary that you are fully informed of this you may get a bruise at the punctu re site, rarely damage to the artery can occur that requires repair. Heart rhyth m disturbances can occur. Deep vein thrombosis, heart attack, stroke and death a re known complications but these are extremely rare. Before your angiogram Please make arrangements for your transport to and from the Hospital prior to th e day of your test. If you taking Warfarin tablets please stop them for 4 days before your procedure. Please attend for a blood test to check your INR on the day before your test. A blood form will be given to you when you are in clinic. Please contact the Consu ltant s secretary for your result, as if the INR is greater than 2 we may need to rebook your test. If you are a Diabetic on Metformin-please do not take it on the day of your angi ogram procedure. You will be advised when to restart them by the Doctor or nurse after the angiogram. If the procedure is from your right groin, please shave this the night before. You will be welcomed onto the unit by a nurse who will check your details are co rrect, she will also record your blood pressure and pulse. A gown and paper pants will be provided for the procedure. One of the Doctors will see you and explain the procedure to you and ask you to sign a consent form. When it is time for your angiogram a member of the team will escort you to the c atheter laboratory. Your Angiogram You will be lying down for this test and awake throughout this procedure and ask ed to lie flat and keep as still as possible. Initially some ECG electrodes will be attached to your chest to record your hear t rhythm. Depending on the Cardiologist he/she will use the right groin, right a rm or right wrist as the approach route to your heart. This area will be cleaned with some iodine this will feel cold. You will be covered with a sterile drape and the procedure will be carried out u nder local anaesthetic, which is used to freeze the skin. After a few minutes th e area will be numb and the test can be started. The Doctor introduces a fine fl exible tube into the blood vessel, this should not be painful, but you may feel some pressure. A fine catheter will be passed through the tube and dye will be i

njected to outline the coronary arteries to assess the severity of any narrowing and to assess the pumping action of the heart. On the assessment of the hearts pumping action you will feel warm as the dye is injected, some patients feel as if they have wet themselves this is only a feeli ng and will pass quickly. If the tube has been introduced from your right groin it may be possible at the end of the procedure to seal the opening in your artery by a special device call ed an angioseal. Alternatively you will be taken to the recovery area where the tube in the circulation will be removed. Pressure will be applied to stop any bl eeding that may occur and to seal of the opening of the artery by natural means, which is by formation of a clot. After your Angiogram The catheter entry site will determine the recovery time. You will be taken to t he recovery area where you will be asked to remain flat. During this time your b lood pressure and catheter site will be checked regularly. The Doctor who carrie d out your angiogram will come and see you on the ward and discuss the results w ith you. Arrangements will be made for you to see the Consultant in Clinic or yo u may be referred for a balloon angioplasty/ stent or heart surgery. You will be allowed home with your escort once the doctor has seen you. Occasionally it may be necessary to keep At Home You must have somebody at home with you on the first night of your angiogram. Th is is in case you need any help in the night or you have any problems. For the 48 hours following the procedure, we advise you to rest .Do not do anyth ing strenuous i.e.. Lifting or hoovering. Do not have a bath or shower on the evening of your angiogram -leave it to the f ollowing day. You may eat as normal. If you are taking Warfarin you may re-start that evening unless the doctor tells you otherwise. If you take Metformin do not take it until 2 days after the procedure unless oth erwise instructed. Do not drive for 36 hours after your angiogram. You may get some slight bruising around the puncture site; this is acceptable as long as it is not swollen or painful. If there is any bleeding from the puncture site you need to apply pressure to th e area and telephone immediately for an ambulance which will take you to the nea rest casualty department. The same applies if you get a large swelling or a lot of pain at the puncture si te. After 48 hours you can slowly resume your normal activities. Contact Numbers

Cardiac Catheter Laboratory 01942 7 7 3 3 9 2 01942 7 7 3 3 9 3 Research Research is undertaken to add to the existing scientific knowledge on a particul ar subject. There are a number of staff within the Trust who conduct Research st udies. It is possible that during the course of your treatment you may be asked to take part in a research study, however, you do have the right to refuse, and this will not affect the care that you receive. Your NHS Number, Keep it Safe. Every person registered with the NHS in England and Wales has their own unique N HS Number. It is made up of 10 digits for example 123 456 7890. Everyone needs to use the NHS Number to identify you correctly. It is an importa nt step towards improving the safety of your healthcare. Always bring your NHS number with you to all hospital appointments or quote it i f you need to telephone the hospital for any enquires. This will allow staff to check that they have the right patient details by checking this against your NHS number. To improve safety always check your NHS Number on correspondence the NHS sends t o you. Ways of finding out your NHS Number If you do not know your NHS number, contact your GP or local Primary Care Trust. You may be asked for proof of identity, for example a passport or other form of identity this is to protect your privacy. Once you have obtained your NHS Number write it down and Keep it Safe Data Protection The Trust will endeavour to ensure that your information remains secure and conf idential at all times. The Data Protection Act 1998 explains how personal inform ation should be processed and this applies to all information whether held on pa per or electronically on computer systems. We must ensure that all personal info rmation is processed fairly, lawfully and as transparently as possible so you: Understand reasons for us processing your personal information Give your consent for the disclosure and use of information where necessary Gain trust in the way we handle your information Understand your rights regarding the right to request access about the informati on we hold about you. The Caldicott Guardian, who is a senior health clinician, has the role to ensure we meet the highest standards for handling personal information at the Trust. For further information regarding data protection, please read our leaflet calle

d Protecting Your Data - How we use your health records overnance pages on the Trust website. Patient Relations

or visit the Information G

The Patient Relations Department provides confidential on the spot advice, infor mation and support to patients, relatives, friends and carers. We will do our be st to help you to resolve any concerns you may have about the care you received. We can also give you information on the services provided by the Trust. If you have a concern or there is a problem, the best way to get it resolved is usually to tell someone there and then. On a ward, talk to the sister or charge nurse on duty. In a clinic, talk to the receptionist or one of the nursing staff . If you want to talk to a senior manager or to someone who has not been directl y involved in your care and treatment, we can usually arrange this during office hours. You can also ask to speak to a member of the Patient Relations Departmen t. Staff in any ward or department will be able to contact a member of the team for you or you can telephone 01942 8 2 2 3 7 6. The Patient Relations Department is open Monday to Friday between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm. Outside of these hours there is an answer-phone service. If you wish to make a formal complaint you can telephone or write to: The Patient Relations Manager Wrightington Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust Royal Albert Edward Infirmary Wigan Lane Wigan WN1 2NN Telephone: 01942 8 2 2 3 7 6 This leaflet is also available in audio, large print, Braille and other language s upon request. For more information call 01942 7 7 3 1 0 6. Wrightington, Wigan & Leigh NHS Foundation Trust All rights reserved. Not to be reproduced in whole or in part without the permis sion of the copyright owner Dial 0845 4 6 4 7 for NHS Direct health advice and reassurance You have reached the end of this leaflet

http://www.medicalhealthtests.com/askquestion/55/what-is-recovery-like-after-anangiogram.html What is recovery like after an angiogram?

(February 16, 2010) The x-ray study of the blood vessels is known as angiography. An angiogram is us ed to make visible the blood vessels under an x-ray through the use of a contras t medium. These procedures are used to diagnose abnormalities of the blood vesse ls such as blockages or narrowing. Atherosclerosis, heart disease and kidney pro blems are commonly detected through angiograms. They can also be used to detect aneurysms, tumors, blood clots, malformations of the arteries and veins in the b rain and problems with the eye retina. It may even be used prior to neurosurgery to provide the surgeon with an image of the vascular structure of the heart. In an angiogram, a contrast medium is injected so that the blood vessels become visible to the x-ray. The contrast medium is injected through an arterial punctu re which is usually performed in the area of the groin, neck, armpit or inside o f the elbow. Once a local anesthetic has been administered to the area, a tiny i ncision is made and a needle called a stylet is inserted into the artery. Then t he stylet is removed and a guide wire is inserted, which is made to travel to th e area that needs to be studies. Next a catheter is inserted over the guide wire until it reaches the correct position. The guide wire is then removed and the c ontrast medium is injected. Through the injection of the medium, images of the b lood vessel are obtained. Once the x-rays are complete, the catheter is removed and a dressing is placed on the site of the incision. The angiogram recovery time is determined by the site of entry. Following the pr ocedure, the individual is taken to the recovery room where he needs to lie flat . Since there is a slight risk of excessive bleeding after an arterial puncture, the individual may need to remain overnight in the hospital. In case of outpati ent cases, the individual may be kept under observation for 6 to 12 hours before release. If the puncture was performed in the femoral artery, the individual wi ll be instructed to keep his leg straight and without movement during the period of observation. The individual s vital signs and the puncture site will be contin uously monitored. If there is pain from the puncture, medication may be administ ered or a cold pack may be placed on the area to alleviate swelling. The punctur e site may remain sore for several weeks following the procedure, and a hematoma may develop in the area. Hematomas must be observed closely as they could be in dicative of further bleeding in the site. Submitted by M T on February 16, 2010 at 03:19

http://www.ptca.org/forumtopics/topic20070427.html Angioplasty Recovery Period What is the time for recovery after an angioplasty? Add a Post to This Topic Return to all Forum Topics

Current Postings on This Page (94): Daddysgirl1018 -- Depression is a well-documented after-effect of bypass surgery , angioplasty, etc. -- often these procedures are the first encounter the patien t has with the fact that they suffer from coronary artery disease (CAD) and depr ession is not an abnormal immediate reaction. However, it is important to move i nto rehab very quickly, to make lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, smoking cessa tion, etc.) which can counter this depression and actually improve the patient's health. With these changes and the improved blood flow, it is possible for a pa tient to feel better than they previously had. Check out our topic on "Exercise After Angioplasty" for some good stories. And also, since your dad is being done

through the wrist, you can read up on it in our "Radial Access Center". Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, April 28, 2011 My father had 3 stents put in his right artery and we are going back monday to h ave another stent placed in circumflex artery which was on the top and they need to go through his wrist. just curious if any men have experienced depression af terwards? daddysgirl1018, daughters, Red Bank, New Jersey, USA, April 28, 2011 To The Roman -- as with all patients, your cardiologist should really be the per son to get you into a rehab program for heart patients -- he/she knows your pers onal capacities best. But a recent study out of Canada shows that patients shoul d start exercising as soon as one week after a heart attack. Here's an article o n it in a UK newspaper. Also check out our topic on "Exercise, Sport, Physical A ctivity After Stent". Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, April 23, 2011 Hi. I'm male, 60 years old. I was having pains in my chest which turned out to b e Angina. They also found I had had a mild heart attack sometime previously. I h ave no idea when as I had no symptoms. They said very little damage had been don e to the heart muscle, which was in good condition considering. I had a stent fi tted for a 70% blockage on Thursday 14th April. I have been given no advice abou t exercise etc. I feel ok. I walk an hour non-stop once a day and may do about 1 0 minutes in the garden. Is this ok ? The Roman, Chichester, United Kingdom, April 23, 2011 Robbo -- first off, congratulations on keeping up an active lifestyle. less than 5 months after a heart attack!! How much exercise is "safe" is really a very in dividual matter, since so much depends on the state of your total body, as well as your heart muscle. Maybe your GP and cardiologist should have a talk. FYI, we 're going to cross post your question to our topic on "Exercise, Sport, Physical Activity After Stent" and maybe some answer will come there. Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, April 8, 2011 I had a stent fitted in November 2010 after heart attack. Was prescribed atorvas tatin, amlodipine, ramipril, bisoprolol, lansoprazole, clopidogrel & aspirin. Be fore the procedure I was very fit having cycled and walked regularly. I had a ba d time for 3 months with chest aches, and dizziness. Subsequently I requested to come off the tablets and immediately felt 10 times better. I now take only aspi rin, clopidogrel (for 12 months after op) lansoprazole and atorvastatin. Now I a m cycling regularly 40 miles and walking mountains. I try and exercise every day but have rest days in between. I am trying to get back to full fitness. However I was told to keep my heart rate down below 121 which is difficult sometimes wh en out cycling. After particularly strenuous cycling ( a long uphill) my heart r ate rises to 145 for a prolonged period. This is fine at the time but the next d ay I sometimes suffer with dizziness & pins & needles in my left arm. Can I pers evere with my exercise (making my heart stronger) or is it advisable to reduce m y exercise? My cardiologist who is Indian did not encourage extreme exercise at any stage (even before heart problems. My GP encourages my exercise! Robbo, Hull, England, April 8, 2011 Mother in India -- 26 is very very young for such an incident. His cardiologists might have some answers, in terms of how the heart attack occurred, was there a blockage in one or more arteries? Also they will have his medical records and s o can best prescribe the correct therapy going forward. Sounds like his lifestyl e is pretty optimal but he may have high cholesterol, etc. which can be modified with modern medications, which have come a long way. We hope he and you find an swers, and please let the Forum know. But again, his best recommendations would be from a cardiologist who has his medical report in front if him. Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, April 5, 2011

My 26 year old son (non smoker, no alcohol, player and a gym regular, no family history, thin and tall, unmarried) had a heart attack in office last week. Emerg ency stenting was done.Will he be able to do normal activites in future? How lon g will he be on medication? What kind of diet will be good for him? Pl guide me since i am totally devastated after the incident. Also my son had taken an inter national flight just two days earlier to the incident. Can there be any connecti on? Mother, Govt. of Maharashtra, Maharashtra, India, April 5, 2011 Broken Hearted in Australia -- read our Editor's Blog from yesterday, Smoking Af ter Sex: A Double Heart Attack Risk? Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, March 24, 2011 Broken Hearted in Australia -- as we tell all patients asking these types of que stions: each individual is different in terms of their clinical status -- the ri sks for exercise, including sexual activity, have much to do with your physical state, whether you have exercised regularly, etc. Your cardiologist is the best judge of whether a given activity may present an increased risk. Also stay tuned to Angioplasty.Org because there is a study coming out later this week dealing with this very issue. We would say, however, that if you know you need another s tent, that means your coronary arteries are somewhat compromised -- so taking it easy would not be a bad idea. We did not say abstain...we just said take it eas y.... Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, March 21, 2011 Delicate subject....How soon after having a stent is it safe for a man to have s ex & if another stent is needed in a few weeks, is it safer to wait till after t hat? broken hearted, Australia, March 19, 2011 As we have often responded, if you are having ANY questions or feeling poorly, e xperiencing blood pressure changes, etc., contact your cardiologist. The body ma y take a while to adjust to the stent, the increased blood supply, and definitel y to the medications that patients are given -- often for the first time right a fter an angioplasty. The chief reason angioplasty and stenting is performed is t o make patients feel better, relief from angina, increased energy, etc. If that is not happening, you should consult your cardiologist. Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, November 20, 2010 My father had an angioplasty two months back. Had two stenting done 85 and 90 pe rcent blockages. For two months his BP was normal but suddenly now it has starte d fluctuating and stays high even after high dosage of medication. Could this be related to stenting? Mmukul, Kiit, India, November 20, 2010 I am 55 recently retired. developed tightness in chest and L arm, breathlessness over 5 weeks, thought it was due to overweight and lack of exercise. Went to A and E had angiogram 2 stents in L Ascending Artery 90% blockage. Going back for 2nd stent for a 70% in 3 weeks. Feeling reasonably well after first. Some discom fort in L arm and a little heaviness in chest but nothing I feel alarmed about. Main problem is worry and negative thoughts also have yet to tell my family. Wal king ok for 10-15min . up and down stairs Slowly. Great to find Forum feeling le ss anxious. Thanks to one and all. Rita Ireland, retired Social Worker, Ireland, September 23, 2010 I had a stent inserted 2 months ago but still have off days. I am back to work b ut find a whole day too tiring so I work half a day. I am exercising and eating properly but still don't feel 100% and am worried that at this stage I should be back to normal. Is this a bit odd?

Mrstig, Castlegar, British Columbia, CANADA, August 24, 2010 Bala -- we do not know the drugs Innegy and gulofide -- but coughs such as the o ne you describe may be related to an ACE inhibitor -- a drug used to control blo od pressure, etc. It's a known side-effect. Again, we aren't familiar with the t wo drugs you've mentioned. Ask your cardiologist. Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, August 18, 2010 Hi experts I 42 years and i have one stent fixed with angioplasty 10 days ago an d i am in drug with Plavix, Aspirin, Innegy & gulofide. I am in my routine work, currently i am having severe cough and sometime feeling pain in the chest. Is i t a alarming sign for any thing or is it Normal? Will the cough affects in any w ay??? Bala, Middle East, August 16, 2010 Worried in Azusa -- Check out our related topics, specifically "Not Feeling Well After Stenting". A number of readers have posted that they experienced chest or back discomfort post-stenting, but it often goes away after a month or two. It' s possible that some of the back pain may be caused by the extended period that patients have to lie flat so that the femoral puncture site can heal. But if you are concerned, ask your cardiologist Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, August 10, 2010 I had angioplasty 4 weeks ago, 85% blockage on had 3 stents on 3 arteries. I wal k for 30 minutes per day at moderate speed only as my exercise. Now I have pain under my left and right ribs, more pain on the right side and some times back pa in is that normal? I take plavix, aspirin, metoprolol, diovan and lipitor as pre scribed. For my GERD, I take nexium. I'm also diabetic and I take metformin for this. Is the rib pain and back pain normal? worried 65 years senior, Azusa, California, USA, July 26, 2010 Oh my! We hope this is not typical for the NHS.... Not that you're in need or ha ving symptoms, but the emphasis on wellness care is definitely lost here! We can only repeat what suggestions we made earlier, but if you're feeling great and a re able to stay active without the symptoms you had, then there's really not muc h the doctor will probably do, except make sure these things are true -- and als o do some standard in-office tests like blood pressure, listening to your heart, etc. which you may be able to get at a walk-in clinic. Anyone in Ireland or the UK have any suggestions for Cassandra?? Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, July 20, 2010 Dear Editor I had a phone call this morning, from the Hospital to inform me my a ppointment to see my Cardiologist was being posted out to me, I asked them when it was for and got quite a shock,18th of February 2011,that was the earliest the y could see me .Is there any danger in leaving it so long for a verification tha t all is well after all I am 80 yrs old,would be grateful for your advice,thank you for your previous advice. Cassandra, Dublin, Ireland, July 20, 2010 Cassandra from Dublin -- good for you! Getting back to a routine, exercise, etc. is the best thing you can do. Sorry to hear there's such a long wait to see you r cardiologist, especially since he/she requested you to come in for a check up. Maybe you could try to convince the scheduler that it's something the doctor wa nted(!) -- but it shouldn't be cause for anxiety -- the doctor just wants to mak e sure you're doing okay, that there's nothing amiss, etc. and also that you're taking the prescribed medications (like aspirin and Plavix). The fact that you'r e feeling well is great. Make the appointment for as soon as you can and, if you 're concerned at all, you might get your blood pressure measured. Other than tha ty, just keep up what you're doing! Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, July 18, 2010

I had a Stent inserted 6 weeks ago. I am feeling great, considering I am 80 yrs of age. I'm doing my housework etc, and out walking every day. My Cardiologist w ants me back for a check-up in 2 weeks time, but when I phoned up for an appoint ment, I was informed there was a long waiting list. Will having to wait to see t he Doctor/Cardiologist cause any problems? Cassandra, Dublin, Ireland, July 18, 2010 Paddy -- as we've said many times before, each patient's clinical picture is dif ferent and questions like yours really need to be asked of your cardiologist. If the procedure is uneventful, no complications, etc. (and especially if the proc edure is done via the wrist) many patients these days are treated as outpatients and released the same day. Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, July 17, 2010 Hi I visited my Cardiologist in my home country but may now need to travel to NY to have a stent installed but as I live/work in the Caribbean how long after th e operation is it safe to fly and return back to work ? Thanks Paddy, Caribbean, July 14, 2010 Neel -- it's impossible for anyone who's not your relative's cardiologist to eve n attempt to answer that question. Certainly angioplasty and stents are used in similar situations with multiple blockages, etc. We always suggest getting a sec ond opinion if you want, preferably one from an interventional cardiologist (one who does stenting) and one from a cardiac surgeon (who does bypass surgery) to see which way to go. Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, June 15, 2010 My nearest relative was diagnosed with 4 blocks in artery & suggested angioplast y. He is 57 years male. Can u please suggest whether angioplasty will be effecti ve? Neel, North East India, June 10, 2010 Jean -- as we've said many times, people go back to work and do all kinds of thi ngs right after a stent procedure, but since each patient is different and has d ifferent issues and clinical profiles, any advice such as "Can I do this?" shoul d be addressed to your cardiologist. In your case, having actually had an infarc tion, a careful assessment of your heart muscle capacity would be in order. Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, June 9, 2010 I had a heart attack 5 days ago, angioplasty with stent done 2 days ago. I work as a registered nurse in a nursing home, fairly heavy duties. How long should I stay off work? Jean, United Kingdom, May 26, 2010 Madlyoverweight in Minnesota -- this Forum is mainly about coronary angioplasty for the heart, but you might want to look at the topic on peripheral angioplasty , although we're not sure your issue is discussed there. We've not heard of anyt hing such as stenting causing weight gain -- this may be an issue with your medi cations -- or there may be some other cause. You clearly have peripheral artery disease -- atherosclerosis in the leg, iliac, etc. You may be experiencing this same disease elsewhere -- have you discussed this issue with your cardiologist?? Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, May 26, 2010 I have had four surgeries on the main aorta and the iliac arteries in my legs. T hey were almost completely closed. I have seven stents in my arteries.The last t ime I large blood clot developed in between the aorta and the iliac and one trav eled into the popliteal causing me to lose some feeling in the left leg.My quest ion is this. Before they stented me I weighed 122 lbs. In three months time I we ighed 148 and I keep gaining and no matter what I do, can't lose a pound. It alm

ost feels like I am pregnant. My breasts are extremely sore and I have heartburn like when I was in my twenties and pregnant. I don't have a uterus any more so this is not possible. I feel that where they stented me is sending a signal to t he ovaries that I am pregnant. My stomach is huge where before barely a roll was there.No one can give me any answers and I don't believe that old age caused me to change that quickly. B.S. The doctors need to be more honest about this proc edure as they want you to exercise and maintain weight, when they are the ones t hat caused the weight gain. madlyoverweight, Minnesota, USA, May 25, 2010 Beverly -- We're not trying to duck the question, but our mantra here is always, "ask your cardiologist". Every patient is an individual and your capacities and clinical situations are all different. Your doctor knows you, sees your chart, your history and your angiograms -- so he/she is best suited to answer this ques tion of returning to work. The best things you can do are to lower all your risk factors through diet, exercise, smoking cessation and the medications you've be en prescribed. Genetics is not something we can alter...yet anyway. As for stres s from work, that'[s harder to measure. President Clinton recently had two stent s inserted in his original native artery after his bypass graft failed -- and he was back at work within a couple days -- trying to help the victims of the Hait ian earthquake. Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, May 3, 2010 I had two stents in October 2009, one in November my chest pains continued. I ha d a normal stress test in March , in April the chest pains were so bad, I went t o E.R. with an abnormal stress test, had another Heart Cath, they reopened the o ne in November with scar tissue and stented another one. My job is pretty stress ful-mentally. Should I wait a couple of weeks before returning to work? Beverly, Champaign, Illinois, USA, May 3, 2010 Patti -- the Guidelines state 4-6 weeks of Plavix plus aspirin for bare metal st ents (minimum) and a year for drug-eluting stents. But every patient is an indiv idual and we would suggest strongly that you discuss the upcoming surgery with y our mother's cardiologist BEFORE the stent procedure so he/she is aware of it. A lso it wouldn't hurt to get the surgeon in on the conversation. Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, April 18, 2010 How long after an angio and 2 stents would an 84 yo woman be able to have a tota l hip replacement? If a bare metal stent is used....Plavix x one month? Patti L, Huntington Beach, California, USA, April 18, 2010 My 87 year old mum has just come home from an angio. She is very tired (which is quite unusual for her). I have been told by her cardiologist that she should be right in about two weeks. Has anyone else had this type of experience? L.P., Brisbane, Australia, April 17, 2010 Jim -- actually minimally invasive robotic bypass surgery has been done for seve ral years now. DaVinci is a company that makes one of the leading systems and it 's incredible -- surgeons sitting in New York have actually perfomed surgery on a patient in Europe. Pretty futuristic already! Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, April 14, 2010 Just had angioplasty with stent placement in right artery. This was not my first stent and the artery had three previous stents. This created a real problem and they were unable to place the stent on the first try. The next day they repeate d the procedure using "ROTO BLADE" to clean out the plaque and make way for a ne w stent covering the entire area previously occupied by three stents. These proc edures are advancing rapidly and soon bypass surgery will be performed by Roboti c arthroscopic surgery with minimum invasion. Please forgive me if the spelling is not correct. As far as recovery goes it is all in your head ! Get up and get

moving, no laying around saying how tired you are. When you moan and groan it ju st puts more stress on the family. We are all going to die so be thankful for ev eryday and live life to the fullest. Jim Van Vranken, Poway, California, USA, April 12, 2010 just had two stints [stents] put in 03-16-10, home now 3-18-10 but still have li ttle pain in middle of chest. Not bad but an acky dull pain, is this normal ? Gerald Farries, Washington, North Carolina, USA, March 18, 2010 Karen -- fascinating that the doctors are doing a CT Angiogram because the stand ard invasive angiogram couldn't image the third artery! It's usually the other w ay around. But it's doubtful they would do a bypass, since now that you've gotte n a stent, opening up one of your arteries, even if this third artery had a bloc kage, bypass is not really called for in single vessel disease, especially since it's probably not a major area. The big question is whether the third blockage (if there is one) is causing you angina or reduced blood flow. If not, there'd b e no reason for an intervention. And Don M. from Vancouver -- people fly, go back to work, do all kinds of things right after a stent procedure, but since each patient is different and has diff erent issues and clinical profiles, any advice such as "Can I do this?" should b e addressed to your cardiologist. Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, March 3, 2010 I have read a number of the postings. I had a stent inserted Feb 26/10 and I thi nk I am feeling good considering the procedure. We have a trip planned to Palm S prings flying out on Mar 10/10. Is there any restrictions on flying and although I haven't driven my car yet should I be concerned about doing so especially sin ce we will have a rental car? Don M., Vancouver, Canada, March 2, 2010 I just had a stent put in for a 75 percent blockage in one artery a week ago. Th e second artery is clean, but the third is sort of "hidden" and they have to do a 64-slice scan to make sure its clean. I feel great; great vitals, cholesterol, BP, etc. But someone said "Maybe they'll have to do a bypass" if there's a prob lem because the Dr. couldn't "get" to the third artery. I've never even been in a hospital before---this is totally shocking to me. At what percentage can you h andle a blockage with meds/lifestyle etc. rather than invasive bypass? Karen L., Winter Park, Florida, USA, March 1, 2010 I had a heart attack and one stent placed in the - at almost age 61 - over a yea r ago. I was back on my bicycle five days later, albeit riding slowly around the block until a stress test three weeks later confirmed I was good to go. I still had an estimated 70% blockage in another artery.Two more stents were placed aft er angina pain developed 7.5 months later, in that artery. Less than two days la ter, I peeled back the bandaid covering the incision in my groin, and couldn't f ind the wound. I was back on my bike in three days and I didn't bother with any rest period. I was floored, especially the second time, at how minimal the after effects of such an important procedure turned out to be. Dave Wyman., Los Angeles, California, USA, February 1, 2010 I recently had a stent placed for a blocked artery (LAD 95% blockage). My doctor placed me on two blood pressure lowering medictions (an ace inhibitor and a bet a blocker) although my blood pressure runs in the normal to low range. Can you e xplain the purpose of these medications and how long I will need to stay on them ? W.V., Austin, Texas, USA, January 27, 2010 hi my name is slem i just had an angioplasty done on friday. whats the recovery time before heading back 2 work.

Anslem M., Maryland, USA, January 12, 2010 I will soon undergo an angiogram procedure. I had open heart surgery 12 years ag o at 42 and have in the last year had multiple heart attacks. the cardiologist c an tell from the echo and ekg. What is possibility that my heart muscle will not hold up? I had a prior MI 12 years ago. I also have pain in my legs. Will this affect my legs? Pat R., Clarendon Hills, Illinois, USA, January 7, 2010 I am a massage on a thurs. His e to wait to get Evelyn, Florida, therapist and one of my weekly clients will be having angioplasty appointments with me are on mondays. Is there a recommended tim a massage after the procedure? USA, November 9, 2009

Had three stents placed in two arteries for 70 and 80% blockage a week ago today . I did not have a heart attack. Was told I could return to work (light duty) la st Monday and did. The fatigue is what worries me. I am more tired now than I wa s before. Post stent placement chest pressure and headache are gone. Why the fat igue. On plavix, aspirin, HCTZ, and Atentolol. L.B., Arizona, USA, October 23, 2009 To all who ask whether this or that activity is too strenuous, etc...these quest ions should be asked of your cardiologist -- there really is no accurate answer as to how many days, what amount of weight-bearing, etc. is safe, since every pa tient has a different clinical status, different muscle tone, etc. If the physic ian doesn't discuss this with you (and they often don't) it's really up to the p atient to be proactive and find this information out directly. Also check out th e related Forum Topic on Exercise, Sport, Physical Activity After Stent. Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, October 20, 2009 I just had a stent placed in my LAD last Friday (5 days ago). I am an RN and am off from work for this week. Do you think it is safe for me to resume my duties as a bedside nurse which involves some strenuous physical activity (lifting and pulling up patients in bed). Dean G., Florida, USA, September 23, 2009 I had a clinical trial stent placed on 9/1/09 and have had increase BP since (15 9/97 avg) and have recently had chest pain, though not the type I had prior to t he stent. I am on Cozaar, but my BP has gone up since going to that med. Obvious ly, I need to tell my cardiologist about the BP and medication, but are the ches t pains normal? Cathy H., Penn Valley, California, USA, September 10, 2009 After a false positive on a stress test, I got this procedure 3 days ago. My hea rt is healthy and strong. My question is...how long before I can return to the g ym and my normal workout (running/bike/weights)? Maralee R., Tennessee, USA, August 28, 2009 Barbara -- the bruising sounds like a hematoma, a not uncommon complications aft er and angiogram or angioplasty. It comes from blood leaking internally from the femoral puncture site (has nothing to do with the stent itself). It usually res olves itself. The pain is another story. If it feels odd, comes on with exercise , etc. definitely call your cardiologist, if for no other reason than to rule ou t anything. Also check out our Forum Topics on Complications After Femoral Angio gram and Not Feeling Well After Stenting. Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, August 7, 2009 had a stent put in 3 weeks ago today. had a lot of bruising from knee on up. it is finally going away. but the last couple of days i have been having pain in my chest and upper back. and also left arm aching. Is this normal or should i call

my doctor? Barbara, Chicago. Illinois, USA, August 5, 2009 Brenda -- check out our topic on Plavix. Bruising is not uncommon. If this gets worse, or your blood pressure drops (or your stool is black) contact your physic ian -- otherwise this is a somewhat "normal" side effect. But don;t stop taking Plavix or aspirin -- very important to keep the blood from clotting inside the s tent. Lower cholersterol. Good! Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, August 2, 2009 I am 40 and had a stint [stent] put in April 17/09. I am on plavix 75 and aspiri n 81. I am bruising very badly and it takes forever for them to go away. Is this normal? I am only scheduled for blood work every 6 months and my doctor doesn't seem too worried about it. My blood pressure is down lower than ever (also on a tenolol 50 and coversyl+) The doctor has lowered my atenolol to 25 and says will recheck in 30 days. I did have a mild heart attack and had a 90% blockage. I am told I have a perfectly healthy heart now. My cholesterol when this happened wa s 7.54 and is now down to 3.04 with crestor. Again, is this normal? Brenda D., New Brunswick, Canada, August 2, 2009 Advice from Joyce in New Jersey below is well worth reading. Thank you Joyce!! Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, July 23, 2009 I had two stent implants 3 weeks apart. I was feeling much better going on the t hird week after my first stent, but still didn't feel fixed as I still had one m ore stent implant needed and still had chest pressure and pins and needles in my left arm and hand. After the second one I knew what to expect for the most part and just took one day at a time. Blood pressure medication makes you sleepy and also if your not fixed yet meaning you still have to under go another stent imp lant the feeling of feeling sleepy could be because your not getting enough oxyg en circulating through your system. Statin drugs can at first make your food tas te like tin because of the statin,but the tin taste goes away. I am not having a ny problem recovering so far and it has been one month and five days now since b oth stents were implanted. When I get tired or I know I had been busy with chore s and the like I lay down no matter if I am feeling sleepy or not. I have some v ague discomfort in the groin area, but i suppose that will take a while to go aw ay. If you are prone to anxiety attacks or are under a lot of stress at home or at work find a way to handle anxiety attacks and stress so that it doesn't bothe r your heart any. The first thing that was suggested to me was music therapy. Al so chest pain also known as Angina can be a chronic problem. If it is not reliev ed with nitro or rest within a reasonable amount of time then you have to go get checked out. If you were diagnosed with angina you need to ask your doctor what type of angina you have because there are a few different types of angina. you can read about the different types here http://www.lifeheart.com/ I am coming to the conclusion that I have to live differently now because feeling normal and l iving a normal life or at least bring things back to the way it was before I got sick isn't going to happen, instead I have to learn how to live differently now . It is the new norm in my life. Since I am living a new norm then I make sure I ask my doctor questions,write down your questions or else you will forget what to ask. Thanks for this forum a really nice place. Joyce, New Jersey, USA, July 13, 2009 Hank -- check out the topic, "Not Feeling Well After Stenting" and you'll see a number of posters who don't feel great after stenting. You're correct that some of this may be due to new medications that you're on. These can be adjusted by y our cardiologist. Others report that it just takes a little time for the body to adjust. We always recommend that patients discuss these issues with their cardi ologists. Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, July 12, 2009

Had an angio/stent six days ago. No MI prior. The narrowing in circumflex was an incidental finding to r/o cardio issues. Before procedure, I could easily walk or treadmill two miles, at 140 bpm, no symptoms. Today I got light-headed walkin g around the block. I realize it could be new meds, but I assume time to get rec hecked, yes? Hank, Michigan, USA, July 12, 2009 CR -- good question. Most hospitals I've been in send patients to CCU recovery, but not all. For example, patients where the transradial approach through the wr ist is used, patients go to a simpler recovery room and are able to sit up immed iately. Would be interested in hearing from other hospitals on their protocols. Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, March 3, 2009 Is it usual to go to a specialized unit after PCI? I am a nurse in a cardiac ste p down unit and getting a lot of "push back" from administration about the misus e of the step down unit. the ratio on the unit is usually 3 patients to 1 RN wit h a higher level of vigilance during the removal of the arterial sheath. I somet imes get the "practicing old medicine" line from admin. but the docs want an "IC U" level of care. Stuck in the middle. CR, Louisiana, USA, March 2, 2009 Robin -- not insane -- sounds like your brother got to the hospital quickly enou gh so that an interventional cardiologist was able to open the blockage causing the problem in time to prevent damage to the heart muscle. Before angioplasty, l ittle could be done for patients except to "wait out" the heart attack, which al lowed the heart muscle to become damaged, and life changed radically for the pat ient. Now, what might have been a full-blown heart attack can be stopped in its tracks with little or no heart damage or long-term effect -- if it's treated in time. Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, March 2, 2009 My brother, age 53, had emergency PCI (one stent) 2 nights ago. He is being rele ased from the hospital today & says the cardiologist told him he could return to work the day after tomorrow. Does this sounds insane to anyone other than me? H e is a draftsman but does a lot of driving during the day, too. Robin, California, USA, February 28, 2009 To the posters who have written in regarding fatigue and/or chest pain following stenting, these are issues to discuss with your cardiologist, since every perso n has varying clinical pictures, and different recovery times. For example Sanja y in India, who had "kissing stents" at the bifurcation or branching of the LAD and Diagonal is feeling pain and having trouble walking, while Graeme in Austral ia was well enough to move furniture and paint a room. Often stent patients are suddenly taking new drugs, which may cause a reaction or possibly fatigue. Certa inly any strong or intense pain should be reported right away. You might also wa nt to browse through a related topic, "Not Feeling Well After Stenting". Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, Feberuary 27, 2009 My husband had a stroke and heart attack about 10 days ago. He has recovered wel l from the stroke in his use of his limbs, speech etc, only his walking is a bit wobbly. He had an angiogram and stent inserted in a blocked artery. He was disc harged the next day and is home recovering. He is very tired and lethargic. What sort of recovery should I expect? Cecily T., New South Wales, Australia, February 1, 2009 Hi, I went through Angioplasty a week ago and the procedure was completed with t wo stents, one in the Diagonal (D1) and other in the LAD artery. However I kept having distinct chest pain throughout next day while being in ICU. Having compla ined about this, I was again put through angiography which revealed that everyth ing was alright, the stents were in place and the blood flow was established ver

y well. Later on my pain slowly went down and I was discharged from the hospital . However during last one week when I go out for a short walk, I get a chest pai n very early, just after even half a Kilometer and walking further almost become s impossible. This is worst than the original trouble I had before angioplasty. What could be the reason ? I am going to meet doctor after a week, but very worr ied whether anything has gone wrong during angioplasty. Sanjay D., India, January 28, 2009 I had 2 stents inserted end to end in my right coronary artery on 23rd december and home on the 24th. Without a lot of guidance i set about some tasks that felt within my physical capabilities - painting a room, moving furniture out of the road and some other quite physical tasks - all within the first couple of weeks at home. Can these actions impact on the "seating" or bedding in of the stents. Graeme, Sydney, Australia, January 15, 2009 I had a stent put in last thurday and I am still weak and I am having some pain. Is that normal? Thank you. Sharon P., Indiana, USA, January 14, 2009 I had a stent put in 10 days ago and 2 others put in 3 weeks ago. I am very tire d and have pains in chest now and then including center of chest is this normal and will it get better? I feel very weak doing regular duties etc. and have litt le energy to go out socially etc. Jerry H., Carson City, Nevada, USA, December 29, 2008 Rosematie -- you might want to look over the postings on another Forum Topic, "C omplications from Catheterization, Angiogram or Angioplasty". As you'll read, ma ny patients have itchiness, lumps, etc.. As for when to resume activity in your father's case, especially lifting heavy objects, you should talk to your father' s cardiologist. Hope allheals well. Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, December 11, 2008 my father had PCI to LAD just 6 days ago, now he's feeling more better but the p roblem is there is hematoma on his right femoral region on the insertion site an d also there is lump he said only today he notice that, also there is mild itchi ness is it normal. also for after how many days he can resume his regular daily activities like lifting heavy object? Rosematie V., Qatar, December 10, 2008 Suman -- gangrene is a symptom of peripheral artery disease. The same disease th at causes blockages in the heart arteries also causes blockages in the leg arter ies (peripherals), thus the gangrene. You and your father should discuss your qu estions with your cardiologist. Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, September 13, 2008 hi, my father age is 56 yrs , he has undergone angioplasty due to heart damage, later he discovered a complication i.e. gangrene so his right leg got amputated , so he was 10 days in hospital and nw he is back to home now its 2 months finis hed after the angioplasty and he kept artificial limb and he is practicing to wa lk without support, also taking the medicine for heart also regularly visits the cardiologist to know the staus...so our worry how he is going to recover his he art muscle which was got damaged .. what would be chances life risk due to heart damage in future life and is completely out of danger ...and how he it can be r ecovered from heart damage and heart stroke ... Please let us know what can be d one what are possibilities? Suman, Bedok, Singapore, September 12, 2008 Gwendolyn -- There's no literature we know of that would link stents to weight-g ain per se. but that's a pretty large gain in a relatively short time -- you als o have other clinical issues, so we suggest that you discuss this with your card

iologist and/or G.P. Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, August 11, 2008 I had 2 DES inserted last year (Dec.2007). Is there a diet pill OC or by prescri ption I can take to help me lose weight? Before the stent implants I weighed 120 pounds. After the stent implants,my weight soared to 165 pounds and I cannot ad just well to this weight increase. I am on Plavix, Lasix, Premarin and Benicar/H CT 20 mg. At the present time, I have been diagnosed with Acites, liver cysts an d gall stones that have caused my abdomen to become extremely swollen with an in creased weight gain of 45 pounds. Gwendolyn D. Evans, Author/ Poet, Ellenwood, Georgia, USA, August 9, 2008 I have just had my second angioplasty - only 1 stent this time. Staying still an d horizontal for 4.5 hours after the procedure did the trick for me; for 5 days after, no driving or lifting and no sex. the result is no bruising, lumps or pai n this time.Just take it easy, work can wait if you really want complete recover y from a somewhat invasive procedure. Andrew Baker, London, England, UK, July 21, 2008 Dear editor, thanks for your reply I have to have another stent put in in a week or so. It does seem strange that I can do these things and hope that this is be cause there is not much or any heart damage, I will ask the cardiologist what he can see whilst he is doing the next stent which is not a complete blockage (lik e the last one) but a restriction and carry on trying to lose two stone and be h ealthy, hope It lasts? I am 46 so a bit young for this sort of stuff, rather a f right to the wife. W., United Kingdom, May 7, 2008 W. -- your cardiologist is the best person to discuss this with you. The figure you are looking for is called the "ejection fraction" which is a % of how effici ently your heart is working. Using ultrasound or a catheterization, the cardiolo gist can also see how well the heart muscle is moving and exactly where and how much damage has occurred. So you're saying that you just had a heart attack last week, and a stent, and since then you've mowed the lawn twice, hoed the garden and walked two miles into town??!! Not to be facetious, but we'll bet there are some readers who are breathless just thinking about that. Best of luck to you an d please let the Forum know what you find out and how you are progressing. Cheer s. Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, May 6, 2008 I had angioplasty and a stent put in this last Saturday having had a heart attac k that I never felt until central chest indigestion type pains afterwards, it wa s two days later having done some reasonably physical work that I went to the do ctor and they did a cardio graph and called an ambulance on viewing it. After ha ving a blockage stented I came home, no work for six weeks and no driving for fo ur weeks. Have mowed the lawn twice hoed the garden walked round the village (2m ls)felt pretty tired and slept a bit no pain but a bit breathless. I had an enzy me reading of 7.0 on the blood test two days after the event which worried the h ospital. My question is how much damage to the heart have I done and is it norma lly assessed after this sort of thing. thanks A (IS THE BREATHLESSNESS RELATED C LOSLEY TO THE DAMAGE?) W., United Kingdom, May 6, 2008 Thank you for your fast reply! I feel better today but have another problem - hi gh temperature - I feel like I have a flu but I hope the high temperature is not connected to the angioplasty or the meds. My cardiologist said that I should no t have pulse more than 58-60 but my pulse is 85 when I am relaxed-the blood pres sure is ok 70-130. I've heard that the high temperature increase the pulse. My c ardiologist couldn't explain why my pulse is so quick. Bilyana Dimitrova, Bulgaria Gabrovo, April 1, 2008

Bilyana -- almost 50% of patients report some chest discomfort, sometimes a heav iness in the chest right after stenting and there is an adjustment period as the body gets used to it. With a 99% blockage now opened up, the heart is suddenly getting more blood and oxygen. But if the pain is like the angina you had before stenting, report it to your interventional cardiologist, for peace of mind of n othing else. As for stent thrombosis, it's a rare but acute event -- a blood clo t doesn't just cause pain or discomfort, but blocks the artery, similar to what happens in a heart attack. Again, it's rare -- so keep taking for aspirin and Pl avix or other prescribed meds. Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, April 1, 2008 I have been in the hospital last thursday for coronarography. It was find out th at I had 99% occlusion and the doctors placed one stent - the coronary has been successful with optimum result. But I worry because I still have some kind of he aviness in the chest, this morning I had pain in the left side of the chest and had nitroglycerin. I want to know is that normal, I am going to have control exa mination after two weeks, shall I wait till the examination or shall I go earlie r because of these symptoms. I get all the medications including Plavix. I would like to know what are the symptoms of stent thrombosis - is that pain in the ch est means that there is a problem or is this adaptation period of the body! Than k you all! Bilyana Dimitrova, Bulgaria Gabrovo, March 31, 2008 Guncha -- prognosis, etc. are things which your husband's cardiologist can answe r best. Much depends on how quickly his angioplasty was done after his first sym ptoms, and what his heart function now is post-MI -- i.e. was there much heart m uscle damaged? His general state of health is also important. Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, March 24, 2008 Hi, My husband [56yrs] had to undergo angioplasty of two of his arteries after h e suffered a major heart attack. He was in the hospital for four days. He is now back home and on a number of medications. His treating doctor has given him fou r weeks of leave from work. It has now been almost 8 days since his release from the hospital but he seems to be recovering pretty slowly and has low level of e nergy. Can you please tell me what should we expect with regards to his recovery rate? Thank you. Guncha, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, March 24, 2008 hi, just to thank you for being here, tonight. A friend had me boggled, when he was about his normal business, including driving, less than a week after an angi oplasty and insertion of stent. He is one who usually, but not always, good abou t following recommendations, and I was concerned that he was "trying too hard", which he sometimes does. Your article and forum entries were very helpful. I hav e my CPR, but who wants to use it ? thanks again. Elle Fagan, Artsite, Vernon Rockville, Connecticut, USA, October 10, 2007 BJ -- we assume you mean "stents" not "splints". See our comments below as to re covery time. Also you say you have a systemic disease. Do you mean coronary arte ry disease? This is a chronic condition and that is why, even with angioplasty a nd stents, medical therapy and lifestyle change is very important in keeping the progression under control. Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, August 24, 2007 i am going in for a heart cath and possibly splints; how long will i be in the h ospital and how long will my recuperation be? My calcification level is 331 and i have a systemic disease. Could that have caused my high calcium level? Thanks. BJ., Mississippi, USA, August 18, 2007 Mohamed -- as we say to all patients, these are questions that are very individu

alized for each person, depending on their health, clinical status, and what is being done. Your interventional cardiologist, who should be able to see your ent ire medical history, is the best person to make this call. We would certainly th ink you'd want to wait a few days to make sure your access artery has no complic ations, etc. Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, May 14, 2007 I will be undergoing Angioplasty very soon, but not in the country where I am wo rking right now. I am planning my angioplasty in my home country. Can you please tell me how long I have to wait for an air travel (about 4Hrs 30Min) after angi oplasty? Mohamed Raffik, India, May 10, 2007 Hi Peter My cardiologist signed me off from work for 10 days following the op. T o be honest, I could probably have gone back three or four days later but I took full advantage of the break to rest and relax properly. In the UK you are not a llowed to drive for a week after the op. It is very important not to put any str ess on the groin area in any way for two or three days afterwards. I overdid it after my second angioplasty and suffered quite bad bruising due to an internal b leed. Given that you know that you have to have an angioplasty, it is also very important that take it easy from now until the op too ! PS. If it's any reassura nce, I found the most uncomfortable part of the whole procedure was having to li e still in the hospital bed for 6 hours after the op ! The actual op itself is r elatively painless. jj, Lancs, UK, April 30, 2007 Peter, You are fortunate to have advance notice, please use the time to learn as much as you can and to work WITH your doctor, don't just let him tell you. From my perspective, there is no such thing as recovery period after angioplasty. Al though I was home the next day and at work the day after that, there was no "rec overy". Recovery suggests returning to the way things were, but things will neve r be the same. Look forward to new experiences, many of them wonderful. It's lik e moving to another part of the country - you bring the old furniture, but now y ou have to figure out how to make it work in the new house .... and you will. Tom S., Encinitas, California, USA, April 28, 2007 Peter -- recovery varies with the individual, their state of health, the amount of work being done and whether or not there are any complications. Normally pati ents are kept in hospital overnight and can go back to work within a couple days . There is really not much "recovery" needed from the angioplasty/stent -- more from the catheter access site (groin or wrist). If the procedure is being done f rom the femoral (groin) artery, you definitely want to avoid lifting, and any ex ertion for a while. You want the catheter access site to fully heal to avoid ble eding or arterial complications. A long haul trip would involve lifting suitcase s, etc. so you may want to give yourself a few days. Discuss these concerns with your cardiologist, for sure. Also you may be on some new drugs post-angioplasty , so you want to give yourself time to make sure you're not going to have any re actions to these when you're on the road away from your doctor. Any other storie s out there regarding recovery time?? Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, April 28, 2007 I will soon undergo angioplasty. Can anyone tell me anything about the recovery period following this procedure? I'm scheduling a long haul business trip and co ncerned. Peter G., United Kingdom, April 27, 2007