Angioplasty

[norwood1]

Hi. I have peripheral artery disease which affects my legs so I am having an angioplasty on Monday. I was diagnosed with this 2 months ago after several scans etc and am told it is severe. I know it is severe as walking causes me a huge amount of pain. I have not been able to find out much information about this procedure and all I have been told is that they go in through my groin down to one leg, back up and then down to the other leg and procedure may take between 1 to 3 hours and I will be awake. Has anyone here had this procedure and when were they able to go back to work, does it hurt/uncomfortable etc. Any advice would be very much appreciated.

Ann

[morley73]

Hi Ann,

I have not had the procedure but I am a health care assistant on a vascular surgical ward and have seen this procedure hundreds of times. Although u will be awake u should only feel slight pressure, the puncture sites are very small and thin wires are passed through the groin. You will have to lay flat for an hour and then u can sit up for a couple of hours before allowed to walk around. Most people stay over night an then can go home. Depending on your job will determine how long u are off work. Usually just a few days. The vascular society has a website with information on the procedure. I hope this helps.

Clair

[norwood1 in reply to morley73]

Dear Clair

Thank you so much for the information, it is greatly appreciated as I have not had much information from hospital so your info is most helpful and also very re-assuring.

Thank you so much again

Ann