Stents prevent the artery from narrowing or closing again to ensure proper blood flow. After the stent insertion procedure, it takes up to two weeks for the stent to settle into place. As a foreign body in the artery, the settling stent can cause some discomfort.
In most cases, you'll be advised to avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activities for about a week, or until the wound has healed.
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.
U.K. sources add that it's common to experience this new chest discomfort in the first few days and weeks following a stent procedure. “This is because your artery has suffered some trauma and bruising from the stent being fitted. You can have episodes of pain or discomfort as the stent settles into place.
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.
After the procedure
Avoid strenuous exercise and lifting heavy objects for at least a day afterward. Ask your doctor or nurse about other restrictions in activity. Call your doctor's office or hospital staff immediately if: The site where your catheter was inserted starts bleeding or swelling.
Symptoms like fatigue, chest pain or shortness of breath can indicate in-stent restenosis. If you experience symptoms, you should contact your healthcare provider. Newer, safer drug-eluting stents can lower your risk of developing in-stent restenosis.
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.
DURATION OF SIDE EFFECTS ASSOCIATED WITH A STENT- CAN THEY IMPROVE? There is some evidence that some of the symptoms such as pain while passing urine and blood in the urine, may improve with time. However, this remains unpredictable.
You may feel a bit tired, and the wound site is likely to be tender for up to a week. Any bruising may last for up to 2 weeks.
A medication called Pyridium can help control stent pain. It is taken 3 times a day and should not be taken for more than 3 consecutive days. A side effect of this medication is the urine becoming a bright orange/red color.
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.
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.
Right side: Some individuals have the habit of sleeping on their stomach, however, after the heart surgery, this posture is not recommended. So instead, you can try sleeping on your side. But, make sure you only sleep on your right side as sleeping on the left side can cause breathing problems and more chest pain.
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.
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.
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.
It's important to go to all follow-up appointments with your healthcare team, even if you're feeling well. The first visit is usually two to four weeks after your stent is implanted, with follow-up appointments every six months for the first year.
Although stenting is technically more difficult than standard PTCA, it can be achieved with a high primary success rate (94% to 97%).
After stent or bypass surgery blood pressure (BP) can go up for multiple reasons among which are: stress and tense of the patient unsure about the future, the pain of the cut and because some of the blood pressure medication, which the patient was receiving preoperatively may get withdrawn post operatively, thereby ...
Rule No 4: Moderate exercise after stenting procedure: No patient needs bed rest following stent implantation. It is advisable for patients to commence moderate exercise such as walking on the plain ground soon after angioplasty and gradually increase the intensity of exercise.
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.
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.