Coronary angioplasty is a procedure used to open a narrowed or blocked coronary artery with a device called a stent. It may also be called percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The cardiologist reaches the coronary arteries through a catheter that is inserted into the artery in the groin or wrist.
Care of the puncture site:
For 1 to 2 days, keep a dressing over the site where the catheter was inserted. You can shower 24 hours after the procedure. Dry the incision well. If you have signs of infection such as: Increased pain, swelling, warmth, redness, pus leaking from the catheter site, or fever, go to the emergency room.
Be alert for possible bleeding. A small amount of blood (up to the size of a coin) on the bandage may be normal.
If it is bleeding more, press on the area to try to stop it, if it doesn't stop go to the emergency room. Your groin or wrist may be bruised and sore for a few days after the procedure. If you have a rapidly growing, painful lump at the catheter site, go to the emergency department
You can do light activities at home, but don't do anything strenuous until your doctor says it's okay. This can last several days. If the catheterization was performed in the groin, try not to climb stairs for the first 5-7 days.
If the catheter was placed in your arm near your wrist, do not bend your wrist deeply for the first 4 days. Be careful when using your hand to get in and out of a chair or bed.
If your leg or hand hurts, looks pale/blue, or feels cold, numb, or tingly, go to the emergency room.
Diet:
Drink plenty of fluids to help your body eliminate the contrast. If you have kidney, heart, or liver disease and need to limit fluids, talk to your doctor before increasing the amount you drink.
Continue to eat a heart-healthy diet that contains plenty of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains. Use olive oil. Avoid fats of animal origin, fried foods and industrial pastries. Steam, oven, grill or grill. Eat oily fish once or twice a week.
Exercise:
You can start exercising from the second week if you do not have symptoms.
You can start with 30-minute walks, 5 – 6 days a week and increase your intensity or add other types of exercise depending on tolerance and in consultation with your doctor.
One way to confirm good exercise tolerance is the speech test: being able to carry on a conversation normally during exercise without feeling fatigued.
Sexual activity:
They are allowed from the second week after catheterization if you do not have symptoms with moderate physical exercise (for example, climbing two flights of stairs without stopping). You should stop if you feel any discomfort in your chest. Avoid very active postures at first, progress if you have no symptoms
Remember that you can use drugs to treat erectile dysfunction (pills for sexual intercourse such as: sildenafil, tadalafil, varnedafil, avanafil). Consult your doctor before starting, as they cannot be used if you take nitrates.
Work activity
Each case will be assessed individually depending on the severity and type of effort required by your work.
Private driving
Allowed if there are no symptoms of chest pain in relation to activities of daily living or at rest:
- From the 3rd week after a myocardial infarction.
- Starting from the 2nd week after a scheduled stent implantation.
Air travel: Allowed from the first month
Vaccinations: Having a stent does not prohibit vaccination. You should get vaccinated annually against the flu. Pneumococcal and anti-COVID19 vaccination is recommended.
Maintain healthy lifestyle habits: Do not smoke. Avoiding tobacco is essential to prevent the newly placed stent from being damaged.
Monitor your blood pressure levels periodically. Maintain “high” systolic blood pressure values less than 135 mmHg
Watch your weight. Target BMI less than 25
Medication:
Your doctor will prescribe antiplatelet medications. You will probably take adiro plus another antiplatelet, such as clopidogrel (Plavix) or ticagrelor (Brilique). It is very important that you take these medications exactly as directed, as they help keep the coronary artery open and reduce the risk of having a heart attack.
Do not stop or change medication on your own. Always consult your usual Cardiologist first.
ALWAYS CARRY NITROGLYCERIN IN SUBLINGUAL TABLETS OR SPRAY WITH YOU
What to do if you have chest pain?
First of all, be calm; Stop what you are doing and sit or lie down. If the pain has not subsided in one or two minutes, put nitroglycerin: two sprays or a tablet under the tongue until it dissolves. You should not take it standing up as it lowers blood pressure and can cause dizziness.
If the pain does not subside within 5 minutes with the first dose of nitroglycerin, take another dose and ask for medical help by calling 112. Never go directly to a Health Center, neither driving nor being taken in a private car.
At Dr. Laura Lorena Espinosa, specialist in Cardiology of the UICAR