Here are some common misconceptions about angioplasty along with facts you need to know about recovery and your health going forward. Myth: I need complete bed rest when I’m discharged from the hospital after angioplasty. Fact: If you had an elective (meaning non-emergency) angioplasty procedure, you should be able to resume all your normal activities in about a week. Be sure to avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activity until then or at least until your incision heals. Driving is usually off limits for about a week, too. But it’s important that you walk around. Most people are able to get up and move only a few hours after the procedure. If you had an emergency angioplasty after a heart attack, you may need several weeks to recover fully, says Theodore A. Bass, MD, a professor, chief of the cardiology division and medical director of the cardiovascular center at the University of Florida-Shands in Jacksonville and president of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions. Myth: If I feel better after angioplasty, I don’t have to take my heart medication. Fact: If you received a stent during angioplasty, your doctor will prescribe blood-thinning medications to prevent a blood clot from forming within it. If you have a bare-metal stent, you must take the medication for at least a month. If you have a drug-eluting stent, you may need to take them for at least a year. If you stop taking your medications, you could increase your risk of a blood clot that could block blood flow and cause you to have another heart attack. Myth: Sex is off limits after angioplasty. Fact: Not only is sex permissible, but you may be able to have a more active sex life because you feel better, thanks to the general health benefits of your angioplasty procedure. If your procedure was elective, you may need to wait only a few days. If you had an angioplasty because of a heart attack, you will likely have to wait a little longer to resume vigorous sex, Dr. Bass says. However, each person will be different, so your ability to have sex depends on your heart health and your overall health, he says. Also, if your doctor inserted the catheter for the angioplasty in your groin, you may need to wait for your wound to heal. You might ask your doctor if you’re not sure when it’s okay to resume physical activities like sex after your procedure. Myth: The angioplasty procedure and stent fixed my heart problems. Fact: You should feel better immediately after your angioplasty because it opened your blocked blood vessel and blood started to flow freely. However, while a stent can fix a serious blockage, it doesn’t correct the underlying cause of the blockage — a buildup of the fatty substance known as plaque. Plaque isn’t usually confined to just one area and could be affecting arteries throughout your body. Making healthy lifestyle changes is the only way to help reduce cholesterol and blood pressure and keep plaque from building up. Staying vigilant about your heart disease treatment and heart health in general is key. Start by taking steps such as quitting smoking, eating a heart-healthy diet, and getting regular exercise. Myth: I can keep smoking after angioplasty. I could just have the procedure done again if I need to. Fact: Smoking increases the likelihood that your artery will get re-blocked. You don’t want to have to undergo another angioplasty procedure if you can prevent it by improving your lifestyle and not smoking, Bass says. If the results of your procedure aren’t sustainable because you smoke or have other unhealthy habits, your doctor might be reluctant to try again. Myth: There’s not much my friends and family can do to help me after angioplasty. Fact: Whatever health condition you’re facing, it often helps you to know you’re not alone. Having someone supportive to talk to as you take small steps in your recovery can be helpful. An encouraging partner or spouse, children, or friends can help you make a full recovery and sustain the lifestyle modifications needed to prevent a relapse. For example, an exercise buddy can make you more likely to stick to a fitness routine, or your spouse can join you in eating healthier foods. Myth: I shouldn’t exercise after having an angioplasty. Fact: Your follow-up treatment plan should include a structured exercise routine as part of a cardiac rehabilitation program, usually at a hospital, for a certain amount of time, followed by exercises you can do at home. Cardiac rehab programs and regular exercise can help you build muscle and stamina and lower your risk of more blocked arteries in the future. However, be sure to check with your doctor before you start any exercise regimen, especially if you were sedentary before your angioplasty procedure, Bass says. Recovering from angioplasty is generally straightforward, but there can still be misconceptions about it. If you have any doubts about what to do after angioplasty, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor for more instructions.
