What to expect

What to expect: From the patient's point of view, angioplasty and stenting are done much the same as a diagnostic catheterization. You will receive medication to relax and sedate you, but you will be awake throughout the procedure. Then the cardiologist numbs the site where the catheter will be inserted, usually the femoral artery in the groin, with injections of a local anesthesia. A thin plastic sleeve, or sheath, is inserted into the artery. The catheter, a long, narrow, hollow tube, is passed through the sheath and guided up the blood vessel into the coronary arteries. A small amount of contrast dye is injected into the blood vessels, valves, and chambers, which can be clearly seen on a special TV screen.

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Once the catheter is placed into the narrowed artery, the doctor will perform the interventional procedure. The procedure usually lasts about 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours, but preparation and recovery time add several hours. Patients typically stay overnight in the hospital.

Recovery: Your doctor will discuss with you when you can resume your normal activities. Generally, however, you will need to take it easy for a few days after returning home: Avoid heavy lifting or any other strenuous activities. You may climb stairs, but you'll want to climb more slowly than usual.

Gradually increase your activities until you have returned to your normal level of activity by the end of one week.

Carry nitroglycerin for the first six months. Be sure it is fresh.

If your symptoms return, alert your doctor immediately. Angina that feels like the angina you had before your procedure might be a warning that your coronary artery has reblocked or that you have new blockages in other arteries. Other symptoms might include discomfort in your chest or in any other area where your previous pain occurred, excessive shortness of breath, dizziness, irregular heartbeats, nausea, excessive sweating, or inability to perform normal daily activities without becoming overtired or exhausted.