Angiogram, recovery and healing time

[Fitbit-Joe]

In the next few weeks, I'm due to be admitted to hospital, for a angiogram. Now I already know what is involved, and the procedure, but one question remains, recovery and healing time

So after you have had your angiogram, and the hospital has gone through your wrist. So when home, how has you recovery gone, and how soon can you get back to work

Also your first few night home, how careful do you have to be, and have there been any problems, which they require medical help

I work in a supermarket, and this involves a lot of physical work, so how long till I can get back to work

[AH31]

Hey I had angiogram in February they went through my arm and I was back to work and driving within a week.

[Danny462]

Hi I had angiogram/angioplasty in 2019 had four stents stayed in hospital overnight for observations. Home following day back to work after one week.

[Threecats]

Hi Joe

I had an angiogram done a couple of months back. I was anxious about it but can honestly say it was a piece of cake! Take a good book as the waiting whilst they gradually reduce the pressure dressing over the course of a few hours is necessary but tedious. As for afterwards, they told me not to use the arm for 24 hours and then not to lift anything heavy or drive for a week. I live alone and was a bit concerned how I’d manage but it was absolutely fine. I had visions of them needing a big hole for access and me bleeding out in the night, not that I’m a drama queen or anything😂but the puncture wound itself is tiny and no issue at all.

Good luck and I hope the test provides you with some answers, TC

[woodbon in reply to Threecats]

I had no problems with mine and went home a few hours afterwards. The worst part was before I had it, you name it, I thought it would happen, but it was fine and nothing bad or painful happened. Better than the dentist!! Good luck.

[Still_Breathing]

It will also depend on your wrist, they may have to go through your groin.

[Silvasava]

If they change their minds and go in through the groin the puncture wound is small. Gave me no issues at all and wasn't told not to drive as I'd only had a local anaesthetic.

[Hidden]

I just had a very bruised aching arm but it wasn't a big problem. You shouldn't have too much trouble. Probably depends on your condition and whether you have a stent inserted. Best wishes for a good outcome.

[Tos92]

I had my angiogram done through my wrist. It was bruised for up to a month, and my arm didn’t fully recover until about 2 months after the procedure. I was limited in the first month in terms of what I could do using that arm however, my wrists are quite small so that may have had a part to play in it. Needless to say, it is a very important procedure to have and the pros definitely outweigh the cons.

I didn’t go back to work until a month after my heart attack, so that gave my wrist some time to recover from the angio.

Good luck for the procedure.

Tos

[Qualipop]

I had angiogram and 2 stents. The main concern was in allowing the stents to bed in. No worries at all about he insertion site in the wrist although the first time I did have absolutely massive bruising from wrist to elbow. Second time not even a pin prick mark. A lot will depend on whether you need stents.

[Quadcabg]

I had an angiogram expecting to have a stent or two. The angiogram was painless and the tiny little scar in my wrist is now invisible. The quadruple bypass that followed was a lot more painful in recovery. 6 months on and I'm getting there.

[ROBBO36]

My personal experience of having an angiogram was that it was agony in my wrist and arm. Really painful. Was home a few hours later, but that was just the start of my recovery as it was only days since the heart attack. Arm & wrist took a couple of weeks to get back to normal, bruising maybe a month. All the very best for your procedure.

[JDAYT_Waldorf]

Hi Joe, I had an angiogram 2 weeks ago. I was very nervous but as soon as I was in the ward the nurses made me feel very relaxed. They will get you into a gown, take some blood and do some pressure tests. I had to wait for about 2 hours before going in. The procedure didn't hurt at all and it lasted less than 15 mins. Back to the ward for tea and biscuits. I was there for about 3 hours where they slowly release air from the bandage on your wrist. When I got home my forearm and wrist ached a bit. You just need to follow the advice from the nurses on what to look out for and have someone with you for the next 24 hours. My forearm and wrist did bruise a lot but I could still go back to work, albeit working from home on the Monday, I had the procedure done on the Friday. I made sure I didn't get the dressing wet for the first 48 hours and then it came off and I could have a shower. My job is not as physical as yours but after a week I had no issues in carrying heavy things, gardening etc. After about 2 weeks the bruising has completely gone. All the best, hope it goes well for you. Cheers Paul.

[Peter-l-h]

agree with other replies - mine through groin( Late 2021 ). Pain and inconvenience minimal and doctors seem pleased with the clarification the procedure provided. PLH