Angiogram how long to recover

It is very important that you take these medicines exactly as directed in order to keep the coronary artery open and reduce your risk of a heart attack. Be safe with medicines. Call your doctor or nurse call line if you think you are having a problem with your medicine.

For example, call if: You passed out lost consciousness. You have severe trouble breathing. You have sudden chest pain and shortness of breath, or you cough up blood. You have symptoms of a heart attack. These may include: Chest pain or pressure, or a strange feeling in the chest. Shortness of breath. Nausea or vomiting. Pain, pressure, or a strange feeling in the back, neck, jaw, or upper belly, or in one or both shoulders or arms.

Light-headedness or sudden weakness. A fast or irregular heartbeat. After you call , the operator may tell you to chew 1 adult-strength or 2 to 4 low-dose aspirin. Wait for an ambulance. Do not try to drive yourself. You have been diagnosed with angina, and you have symptoms that do not go away with rest or are not getting better within 5 minutes after you take a dose of nitroglycerin.

Call your doctor or nurse call line now or seek immediate medical care if: You are bleeding from the area where the catheter was put in your artery. You have a fast-growing, painful lump at the catheter site. You have signs of infection, such as: Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness. Red streaks leading from the catheter site. Pus draining from the catheter site. A fever. Your leg, arm, or hand is painful, looks blue, or feels cold, numb, or tingly.

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The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. Skip to main content. Home Heart. Coronary angiogram. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. Problems diagnosed by coronary angiogram Medical issues to consider before having an angiogram Coronary angiogram procedure Immediately after the coronary angiogram Complications of a coronary angiogram Taking care of yourself at home after a coronary angiogram Long-term outlook after a coronary angiogram Other heart tests Where to get help.

Problems diagnosed by coronary angiogram Apart from diseased coronary arteries, an angiogram can also diagnose a range of heart problems including aneurysm abnormal ballooning of the heart wall , heart arrhythmias irregular heart beat or birth defects, such as a hole in the heart. Medical issues to consider before having an angiogram Before the procedure, you need to discuss a range of issues with your doctor including: your medical history, including whether or not you have asthma, allergies or kidney disease if you have experienced allergic reactions to any drugs any current medications you are taking.

You may need to discontinue certain medications before the test, such as medications that thin the blood fasting — you need to fast four to six hours prior to your test other tests — you may undergo various tests before the angiogram, including blood tests, an electrocardiogram and chest x-ray and cardiac CT computed tomography. Coronary angiogram procedure Most diagnostic coronary angio procedures are done as day cases.

Immediately after the coronary angiogram After the angiogram, you can expect the following: Your blood pressure, pulse, breathing and wound site are regularly checked and recorded. You may be given intravenous fluids for a short time, although you will be encouraged to eat and drink as soon as you feel able.

You may be allowed to sit up after four hours. You may be discharged to go home up to six hours post after recovery. If you are not already on a special diet, you will be encouraged to adopt a cholesterol-lowering diet. Initial results are given to you by the cardiologist who performed the procedure. You may have to make follow up appointment with a cardiologist to further discuss your treatment.

Complications of a coronary angiogram Some of the possible complications of a coronary angiogram include: allergic reaction to the contrast dye, including hives and itchy skin bleeding from the wound heart arrhythmia heart attack stroke. You will be able to eat and drink once you are sitting up after your procedure. If you have any specific dietary needs please inform us as soon as you arrive.

Please note we can only offer sandwiches as we have no kitchen facilities for hot food. A relative or friend can wait with you during your recovery. It is advisable to only have one companion due to limited space in the recovery area. The doctor will see you before you go home to explain the results of the procedure and discuss your plan of care.