ANGIOPLASTY

[JMF1]

Hi specialist is not too happy with my arteries as they are blocked with what he referred to as stable and unstable plaque. He wants to deal with it so going in to have an angioplasty if after checking he deems is relevant and if necessary a stent. Anyone had this procedure (I am sure plenty have) can you let me know what it involves is it painful and recovery time. Many thanks.

[Rockcity2009]

Hello JMF1, Hopefully,your procedure will be successful,I had a similar experience,with angioplasty,2 Times for occluded artery in popitiel artery, unfortunately,what was cleared,re occluded in a months time after procedure but I have grown collateral veins around the blockage, leg still painful,but intense physical therapy has made a big difference,also on a Life time of blood thinners,good luck on your procedure,don't be afraid,you will do just fine

[JMF1 in reply to Rockcity2009]

Thank you this site is great

[annpavitt250448]

I had an angiography 10 days ago and ended up with another stent to go with the one in my LAD. Ask for sedation as it makes you and your arteries relax. I found this one a bit more painful than the first one but think I didn't ask for enough sedation. I found the staff in the Cath lab very good put you at ease. You all have a wrist band on which they release the pressure from over the next couple of hours. Expect some bruising after. This time I did have a painful arm for about a week but it's fine now.. One til make sure you to to the toilet before you go to Cath lab as you might be in there for up to an hour and when you get back to the ward you are booked up to blood pressure monitor and e.c.t Good luck

[JMF1 in reply to annpavitt250448]

Thank you will let you all know how it goes

[JMF1 in reply to JMF1]

Hi did you have to take medication before procedure been given pills to take a week before my procedure to reduce blood clots forming - gets more concerning the nearer it gets.

[ShamuCatlover]

my husband had an emergency angioplasty with 2 stents in February and further 2 stents in April. He’s normally quite squeamish but said both times that it was painless and the staff made him feel very comfortable. The only thing he complained about was his back & hips ached after lying on the bed for a few hours. He was discharged after 4 hours and has never looked back. He feels well and fitter than ever. Good luck with your procedure 🤞🏻

[JMF1 in reply to ShamuCatlover]

Thank you

[Qualipop]

Very easy; a canula and sedation; awake enough to talk and be able (if allowed) to watch the procedure on a bank of screens. Back to recovery ward for tea and toast while wearing a pressure cuff on your wrist which is gradually released when they are sure bleeding has stopped.. Not allowed to drive because of sedation so you will need a chauffeur . I went in at 9am and was home, an hour away and having lunch by 1.30. Take it easy for a week or two; no strenuous activity. NO pain except for fitting the canula. Nurses chat to you the whole time- annoying because I wanted to watch the screens. Go to he loo beforehand and if lying flat on a metal table is uncomfortable, ask for pillows under your knees. After my second one , someone released the pressure bandage too soon and I had a massive black bruise from wrist to elbow. It didn't hurt though.

[JMF1 in reply to Qualipop]

Thank you

[Avagra]

Had a HA in ‘22 and angioplasty done with stent into circumflex artery without any pain whatsoever just a bruised wrist for a couple of weeks.

[JMF1 in reply to Avagra]

Thank you everyone so helpful

[polenta]

Hello, I had one where they go in through the wrist and it was a very easy procedure, with no pain, plus they lightly sedated me, with the same stuff they use for a colonoscopy. You got this.

[JMF1 in reply to polenta]

Thank you everyone so helpful

[Flimflab]

Hi JMF1 I had an angioplasty and stent a couple of years back. The comments above reflect my experience. The surgical team were excellent at putting me at my ease and my worries before hand were worse than the operation itself.

I was offered a stent during the angioplasty and decided to take it; I should have thought of this before I went in to save a bit of time. I had my wife pick me up from hospital as you could not drive immediately afterwards.

There were good leaflets on what you could do afterwards, but I should have asked about the timeline for cardiac rehabilitation so I was clear who to contact and when

Cardiac rehabilitation was excellent in giving me the confidence to get back to my normal activity.

Within 3 months and with clearance from my cardiologist I was back to Saturday morning parkruns and my times rapidly improved as my artery had been fixed. Of course I had the usual anxiety about what I could/should do, but this gets better over time even if it doesn't fully disappear.

[JMF1 in reply to Flimflab]

Thank you so much

[valeriep]

I've had two angioplasties and the most painful bit was when they gave me the painkiller - and that lasted seconds! The procedure itself feels weird, but it doesn't hurt. Bruising varies, but mine was not excessive and you should take it easy for a couple of weeks, but I think that's mostly so your body can adjust to increased blood flow unimpeded by blockages. (Being self-employed, I was working again after a week, as I couldn't afford to take time off - but this is probably not recommended!) I went into AF after the procedure - the doctors told me my heart really doesn't like being messed around with and was protesting! - so they kept me in overnight for observation, discharged me with meds and my heart quickly returned to normal sinus rhythm. For a few days after the procedure, when I woke up, I had a pain like someone was pushing a thin needle into my chest, but a couple of paracetamol sorted it out within 20 mins. Really, nothing to be scared of and you will feel so much better afterwards!

[JMF1 in reply to valeriep]

Thank you so much you are all so very helpful shall let you know how I get on.

[Batheart]

Hi JMF1, I had my angioplasty procedure 3 years ago and it was a breeze. Ask for mild sedation, and you won't feel a thing. There was absolutely no pain involved in my procedure. You'll just feel a momentary hot flush in your arm when they inject the dye, but that's it. You'll come out thinking what was all the fuss about ! A tooth extraction is far more scary ! So, please don't worry. There will be some bruising in the arm for a week, but it looks worse than it feels. I had no post surgery pain either. So relax, and go in knowing it's a painless process, and you'll come out all fixed up. Don't forget to ask for the sedative to relax you. You'll be fine !

[taliesin1411]

Major HA some 11 years ago. Rushed to Radcliffe around 1 am awake but somewhat out of it. Straight in to cath lab and let the experts do their work. Prof lifted mask at end of procedure "We nearly lost you tonight" They fitted 2 stents to save me and later in the week 3 more. Just relax and let the experts do their work.

[JMF1 in reply to taliesin1411]

Thank you just very nervous.