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Life After - Cardiac Catheterization - Life After

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If you have had cardiac catheterization, it is important that you receive follow-up care, know about the possible complications that may occur after the procedure, and follow the treatment plan that your doctor recommends for your condition.

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\n Receive follow-up care \n
- Cardiac Catheterization - Life After

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It is important to get routine follow-up care after you have cardiac catheterization. Talk with your doctor about how often you should schedule office visits.

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  • Adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle, especially if your cardiac catheterization was needed because of ischemic heart disease or heart attack.
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  • Follow any instructions for when to resume physical activity and lifting and at what levels.
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  • Follow instructions on how to care for the site where the doctor accessed your blood vessel, including when you can take a bath or swim.
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  • Keep any follow-up appointments or tests.
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  • Take any medicines as directed by your doctor.
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  • Talk to your doctor about any blood tests you may need if you were placed on blood thinners after your procedure.
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\n Learn the warning signs of complications and have a plan \n
- Cardiac Catheterization - Life After

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Complications from cardiac catheterization are rare but can be serious. A small bruise and tenderness at the access site is normal. Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following, as they may be signs of serious complications.

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  • Bleeding from the access site that cannot be stopped with firm pressure
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  • Chest pain or shortness of breath
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  • Dizziness
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  • Fever
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  • Increased pain, redness, or bruising at the access site
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  • Irregular, very slow, or fast heartbeat
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  • Swelling at the access site
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  • Yellow or green discharge draining from the access site
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  • Your leg or arm that was used for access becoming numb or weak or any part of it turning cold or blue
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Other serious complications after catheterization, although rare, include heart attack and stroke. If you think that you are or someone else is having the following symptoms, call 9-1-1 immediately.

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Heart attack signs and symptoms include:

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  • Chest pain or discomfort in the center of the chest or upper abdomen that lasts for more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back. It can feel like pressure, squeezing, fullness, heartburn, or indigestion.
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  • Nausea, vomiting, light-headedness or fainting, or breaking out in a cold sweat. These symptoms of a heart attack are more common in women.
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  • Shortness of breath, which may occur with or before chest discomfort.
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  • Upper body discomfort in one or both arms or the back, neck, jaw, or upper part of the stomach.
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If you think someone may be having a stroke, act F.A.S.T. and perform the following simple test.

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  • F\u2014Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
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  • A\u2014Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
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  • S\u2014Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?
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  • T\u2014Time: If you observe any of these signs, call for help immediately. Early treatment is essential.
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Read more about the signs and symptoms of a stroke.

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Syndicated Content Details:
Source URL: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/subscribe/3985
Source Agency: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Captured Date: 2019-03-29 16:26:00.0
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