What to Expect When Someone With Heart Disease Has Coronary Angioplasty and Stenting

What is a coronary angioplasty, and how do you help a patient when he leaves the hospital?

If the person you're caring for has coronary artery disease (CAD), he may need to have a coronary angioplasty and probably a stent. In this medical procedure, a cardiologist inserts a small tube (catheter) attached to a high-pressure balloon into a large blood vessel in the upper thigh or arm, then carefully threads the catheter into the coronary arteries. This balloon (the dimensions of which depend on the size of the artery and length of the blockage) is then inflated inside each blocked area, widening the artery and improving blood flow. Once the artery is opened, a tiny tube called a stent can be placed in the newly widened area.

The American Heart Association estimates that more than half a million coronary angioplasties are performed each year. Most people go home in a day or two, and full recovery may take only a week or two. Still, it's helpful to know what to expect during recovery, when you should call the doctor or 911, and how you can help the patient maintain the health benefits of his procedure.

When it's time to go home. A day or two after the procedure, the person you're caring for will probably be ready to leave the hospital. Before discharge, ask the doctor the following questions:

• What follow-up appointments will he need, and when?

• How much physical activity can he do? What limitations will he have?

• Would he benefit from a cardiac rehabilitation program? If so, how can we find one located nearby?

• What medications will he need to take? For each drug, ask:

  • What does it do?

  • How often should he take it?

  • Should it be taken with food?

  • Is there anything he shouldn't eat or drink with this medication?

  • What side effects might we expect?

• What warning signs or symptoms should we look out for?

• When should we call you? When should we call 911?