It's normal to feel tired afterwards but most people find that they're back to normal after a few days. However, if you've also had a heart attack, it will take longer to recover. If you've had a stent fitted, you'll be given medicines to help reduce the risk of blood clots forming in and around the stent.
First few days after the procedure
A patient may feel more tired than usual, in the first few days. Drinking plenty of fluids is also usually recommended in order to flush out any residual contrast dye which is typically used during the procedure to visualize the arteries.
It generally takes most people a couple of weeks to start returning to their normal activities after angioplasty/stenting. Before you leave hospital, you'll be given detailed instructions for exercise, medications, follow-up appointments, ongoing wound care and resuming normal activities.
You may also experience tiredness for a few days after the procedure. This is totally normal and will pass in a week's time. Once you leave the hospital, your post-procedure care will involve taking the prescribed medications and making some important lifestyle changes.
“Most of the time after a heart attack, people actually do quite well and live fuller lives afterward.” In fact, if the blockage that caused your heart attack is cleared with stents or surgery, you might feel better and have more energy than you did before your heart attack.
While the stent is in place, you may have to urinate more often, feel a sudden need to urinate, or feel like you can't completely empty your bladder. You may feel some pain when you urinate or do strenuous activity. You also may notice a small amount of blood in your urine after strenuous activities.
Bedrest may vary from two to six hours depending on your specific condition. If your physician placed a closure device, your bedrest may be of shorter duration. In some cases, the sheath or introducer may be left in the insertion site.
It is also possible that you are experiencing discomfort because the stent is taking time to settle. This is quite normal, but make an appointment to see your GP and check if they want to review your medications. Find out about better stents for the future.
The most common after-effect is bruising at the site where the catheter was inserted which may feel tender and numb for a few days. You might feel tired, but you should be back to normal within a few days. If you are worried about any of the after-effects, contact your doctor.
Fatigue. If you have coronary artery disease, your blood cannot move as freely throughout your body as it normally would. The extra effort that your body must make to move blood through narrowed or hardened arteries will be apt to leave you feeling fatigued or tired quite frequently.
In most cases, you'll be advised to avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activities for about a week, or until the wound has healed.
Walking short distances on a flat surface is OK. Limit going up and down stairs to around 2 times a day for the first 2 to 3 days. Don't do yard work, drive, squat, carry heavy objects, or play sports for at least 2 days, or until your health care provider tells you it is safe.
Large pieces of beef, poultry, pork and shellfish are most likely to cause a blockage of your stent: o Shred, mince or grind meats and shellfish. o Slow cook meats until tender. o Fish the texture of salmon, tuna, cod and tilapia do not need to be modified. Breads and dried fruits may cause blockage of your stent.
Increased pain, redness, swelling, bleeding, or other drainage from the insertion site. Coolness, numbness or tingling, or other changes in the affected arm or leg. Chest pain or pressure, nausea or vomiting, profuse sweating, dizziness, or fainting.
Foods to avoid, or keep to a minimum:
Pithy fruit e.g. oranges, nectarines, grapefruit, pineapple. Dried fruit, nuts, and seeds, popcorn. Fish with bones e.g. anchovies, tinned sardines. Tough or gristly meat.
Avoid playing sport, excessive activity or lifting anything heavy for about 2 days.
Most notably, the recovery time depends on whether or not the procedure was a non-emergency or an emergency. For a non-emergency coronary stent procedure, the recovery time is typically around a week. However, an emergency procedure may require a recovery time of several weeks to more than a month.
Myth: The angioplasty procedure and stent fixed my heart problems. Fact: You should feel better immediately after your angioplasty because it opened your blocked blood vessel and blood started to flow freely.
A stent can cause blood clotting, which may increase the risk of heart attack or stroke. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute state that about 1 to 2 percent of people who have stented arteries develop a blood clot at the site of the stent. Doctors will usually prescribe one or more drugs to prevent clotting.
Psychologically, however, many people feel low in mood after they're discharged home, especially following open heart surgery. Until this feeling passes, it's usually best not to start drinking alcohol again, as it can make these feelings much worse and last for longer.
After your procedure you should have a quiet evening resting the limb which has the insertion site (wound) from the operation. You may eat and drink as normal and sleep in your usual position at night time.
You will need to take antiplatelet medicines, or blood thinners, to prevent blood clots from forming in the stents in your arteries. Your provider may prescribe these medicines for 1 year or more after getting a coronary stent. For carotid or peripheral artery stents, it may be 1 month or more.