Your angioplasty opened the blocked artery — but did you know the real work of protecting your heart begins after you go home? Here's what every stent patient (and their family) should know.
- Never stop your blood-thinner tablets on your own. These medicines keep the stent open, and stopping them suddenly can be dangerous. Always check with your cardiologist first — even before a dental procedure or another surgery.
- A stent fixes the blockage, not the disease. Keep blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol under control, eat a heart-friendly diet, and stay completely away from tobacco — that's what protects the rest of your arteries.
- Move, but build up gradually. Most people return to daily routines within days to a couple of weeks. Start with gentle walking and slowly increase — regular activity is one of the best medicines for a stented heart.
- Know the warning signs. Chest pain or heaviness returning, unusual breathlessness, or pain, swelling or bleeding at the wrist/groin puncture site — don't wait and watch. If chest pain at rest lasts more than a few minutes, treat it as an emergency and go to the nearest hospital immediately.
Had an angioplasty recently — or caring for someone who has? Regular follow-up is just as important as the procedure itself. Consult Dr. Stalin Roy J, Interventional Cardiologist at SR Heart Clinic, Tambaram, Chennai, for expert post-angioplasty care and personalised heart-health guidance. Call 08043692777 to book your review.
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