After Your Angioplasty
In the Hospital
• Your site, pulse and blood pressure will be checked often.
• You may drink clear liquids until the needle is removed. After that you
may return to your normal diet.
• Your leg or arm needs to be kept straight for about 6 hours to prevent
bleeding.
• It is common for your catheter site to be tender and bruised.
• You may have oxygen and a heart monitor in place for a few hours.
• An EKG or blood tests may be done.
• Your doctor will talk to you about your angioplasty results.
At Home
• Drink plenty of liquids to help your body get rid of the dye.
• Rest for 24 hours.
• Remove the pressure bandage at bedtime and put on a clean band-aid.
• You can take a shower.
• Do not take a tub bath for 1 week after your angioplasty.
• Do not scrub the site.
• Remove the band-aid over the site when you shower.
• You can leave the site uncovered or put a clean band-aid on it.
• Check the site each day for any more redness, bruising or swelling.
• Do not drive for 2-3 days.
• Do not exercise, run, or lift objects over 10 pounds or 4.5 kilograms for
three days.
• Talk to your doctor or nurse about other activity limits.
You should be able to return to normal activities in about a week.
Call your doctor right away if you have:
• Bleeding at the site that will not stop
• Sharp pain or stinging at the site
• Swelling, redness, more bruising, or tenderness at the site
• Drainage or warmth at the site
• Coldness or paleness of the foot or hand
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