Post Angiogram

[Sprit]

Hi

I had angiogram Week ago. My arm is still bruised and is very painful. Especially when I sleeping . Is this normal?

[Hidden]

Dear Sprit,

It certainly was for me and the little entrance site in the wrist. My heart nurse said that it could take up to a month to clear and even then she has know some still have an ache down the arm.

I found that gently doing shoulder shrugs and rolls helped it a bit along with standard pain killers.

Sorry that you are suffering so but just try to remember that the information that they gather is priceless for your treatment.

Take care

[Sprit in reply to Hidden]

Thanks & take care

[Jako999]

Totally normal can take weeks to recover, it’s a major artery and it was deeper then you think.Get well soon.

[Sprit in reply to Jako999]

Thanks.x

[RufusScamp]

They had to use my femoral artery because of narrow veins in my arm. It was several weeks before the bruising disappeared. Luckily it was after the holiday season so no bikini problems!

[Hidden]

Hi. After my angiogram I was certainly still bruised and in pain after a week. I found that it took twice as long than what I was told at the hospital for the pain and bruising to go.

[Sprit in reply to Hidden]

Thanks

[statinsinthebin]

i had a bruise from my wrist to my elbow!ice packs and massage helped and the pain went after about 3 weeks.

[Sprit in reply to statinsinthebin]

Thank you. It was reassuring to know that it might take weeks.

[MrsSuzuki]

I was black, blue and some various shades of purple from my wrist to my elbow! The surgeon had a bit of trouble getting into my artery, but luckily I didn't get any pain.I had quite a bit of swelling at the wrist site for a couple of weeks but it all calmed down after that.

Lily

[Sprit in reply to MrsSuzuki]

Thanks

[scotsrish]

I think it depends on if you have small or bigger veins because those i know that have small have a far rougher time. I looked like i was the punching bag from a boxing ring on my arm and chest. Absolutely horrible.

[Sprit in reply to scotsrish]

Thanks for the reassurance.x

[Hidden]

Yes, it’s normal. From “Care at Home After the Angiogram”:

“After you return to your home, you may notice a bruise in the area where the doctor inserted the catheter. It is caused by blood that has escaped from the vessel under the skin. A small - and sometimes larger - bruise is normal. It is not necessary to report bruising to your doctor, even if the area is large. Usually, it clears up over a period of one to three weeks.

You should call the doctor or nurse practitioner if you have:

Bleeding, drainage or painful swelling at the site where the catheter was inserted.

Swelling or weakness and/or numbness in the leg or arm in which the catheter was inserted.”

[Sprit in reply to Hidden]

Thanks.

[22alfie]

Morning. Yes it'll be a bit painful for a few weeks more. Remember it's corrective surgery but slow and steady wins the race don't go rushing around to much follow the program chart and keep in touch with your cardio nurse and doctor. 😘

[Sprit in reply to 22alfie]

Thanks

[linnielizzie]

Certainly is - don't worry - took several weeks for the aches and bruises to go -

[Sprit in reply to linnielizzie]

Thznkdy

[Adhtz21]

I had bad bruising two or three days after which lasted for nearly two weeks. No major pain just discomfort, but bearing in mind that the procedure is akin to being ‘dyno -rodded’ I expected it.

[Sprit in reply to Adhtz21]

Thanks

[HHH2017]

Hi Sprit, firstly sorry you've had to have this procedure but hopefully you'll see some progress re diagnosis and treatment now whatever your situation is 🤞🏽Secondly, sorry you weren't warned of this! Mine took about 2-3weeks re pain and 4-5weeks re bruising. My arm looked like an aubergine!!!

Hope yours starts to improve soon, ice (bag of peas) helped a bit as did resting my arm on a pillow (I was in hospital a few weeks) Good luck.

[Sprit in reply to HHH2017]

Thank you for your advice and kindness.

[Harefieldfan]

Hi Spirit. My upper leg (they put it in that way ) was an amazing shade of purple for weeks. It went away though. Antiplatelets make us bruise easily and make the bruises last. It will all go away. Good luck!

[Sprit in reply to Harefieldfan]

Thank you

[Sunnie2day]

Adding my voice to the others here - it will take as long as 4-6 weeks for the bruising and 'discomfort' to fade.

I had 'the double whammy' of the angio via wrist and simultaneous 'right-heart study' via femoral (upper thigh), ache and bruising at both sites alarmingly huge (to my eye ) and took six weeks to finally go away. I had to sleep on my back or left side with achy arm and leg resting on cushions.

If the bruising doesn't begin to 'go yellow-greenish' after two weeks and/or the ache morphs to real pain causing you to not use the limb or get a full night sleep, you should contact your medic and ask for advice.

[Sprit in reply to Sunnie2day]

Thank you.

[Qualipop]

I had 2 angiograms and 2 stents. After the first one ( right after HA) my arm was literally black from wrist to elbow. They obviously released the pressure bandage too early. However I had no pain. The bruising took almost 6 weeks to go. After the second one I didn't even have a pin prick mark where the needle went in.

[Sprit in reply to Qualipop]

Thank you & keep well.

[Crofton23]

8 weeks on and the pain has now gone. This site will ease your mind as so many people in same position.

[Coxtribe]

I had the same experience. My arm was black and blue for several weeks and was very painful (nerve pain akin to toothache) but this all faded over a period of three to four weeks. Please rest assured it doesn't last!!

[Sprit in reply to Coxtribe]

Thank you.

[annpavitt250448]

Had mine yesterday, bruised but not particularly painful. Mind you broke my humerous bone at shoulder 11 weeks ago and that is still painful so still taking painkillers for that.. Have only just been able to face having angiography which I should have had 9 weeks ago.

[Sprit in reply to annpavitt250448]

Get well soon. Thanks