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Recovery from heart catheterization

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MedHelp Member's Question

Recovery from heart catheterization

by Bill K, Oct 02, 1999 12:00AM

Tags: recovery, Heart, catheterization, catheter, bleeding, groin, procedure

On Wednesday I will have a heart catheterization to explore the cause of stress-induced ischaemia. I want to know what the recovery from the procedure itself will be like. I know that the catheter is inserted through the groin. I exercise daily and wonder how long I will feel discomfort following the procedure. Thanks for any guidance you can provide.

Doctor's Answer

by CCF CARDIO MD - DLB, Oct 02, 1999 12:00AM

If you have only a catheterization, you will probably be able to get up and walk around a few hours after the procedure, assuming that there are no problems with bleeding from the groin site. If you have an angioplasty, you will have to stay in the hospital overnight and will probably be allowed to get up and walk around the next day. Your groin area should be fully recovered in about a week or so and it should be possible to go back to your exercise regimen after that period of time.

Member Comments (7)

by halfpint48@webtv.net, Oct 02, 1999 12:00AM

soon to have a heart cath test done.what all is involved in procedure and the reason for laying still for so long? looking for blockage. thank you wilma martin

by CCF CARDIO MD - DLB, Oct 02, 1999 12:00AM

The procedure typically involves using an anesthetic to numb up the leg near the groin area and entering the blood vessels with long plastic tubes that reach up into the heart. Using these plastic tubes called catheters, pictures of the heart and heart arteries are taken. If there is a severe blockage angioplasty or surgery may be recommended. The reason for lying still for several hours after the procedure is to allow the groin area to heal up and to prevent bleeding from this site.

by Roy, Oct 03, 1999 12:00AM

I recently had a heart catheterization through the groin. The total procedure took about 1 hour and I don't remember much once they gave me the injection to relax me. Fortunately my doctor used a "vaso-seal" to close off the insertion point in my groin so I only had to lay down for a couple hours before they had me up and walking around. Since they found nothing wrong, I went home 3.5 hours after completing the procedure. I stayed home the next day and took it easy. I went back to work the day after that. My groin was sore enough that I limped slightly for about 4 days. By 7 days, the groin felt normal again. The worst part about the whole process was the anxiety and nervousness before the procedure. Hope this helps!

by Susan, Oct 03, 1999 12:00AM

I had a heart cath last November due to a study needed regarding possible aortic valve replacement from a congenital defect. I think the anxiety was one of the worse parts, but don't remember much after given the medication to relax. Since I had no blockages, I didn't feel anything during the times I woke up and watched the monitor. However, when wheeling me out, we all discovered what a bleeder I could be which caused some panic and rushing around to stop it! Caused a severe bruise from my knee up to my groin (from being jumped on to stop the bleeding) which lasted about 3 weeks and was a little sore for a while. I had the collagen plug so was up and about as soon as I woke up enough to stand, squashed leg and all. All in all, not so bad. Was back to my exercise routine (including walking) in abaout w week, would have been sooner had it not been for the bruise. I then had the surgery for aortic valve replacement in February. Piece of cake and for me far less traumatic overall than the heart cath! Take it easy and don't worry. It is not an incapacitating procedure and neither was the heart surgery! Good luck! Susan

by Paul Bowman, Oct 06, 1999 12:00AM

I had a heart cath on Sept. 21 to check out an ASD and Tri valve regurg. After about 1.5 hours of probing and readings (usually .5 hours but they wanted to be thorough) my cardiologist held moderate pressure on the insertion site for about 20 minutes while reviewing the results with my wife and I.

They wheeled me into the recovery room where they put a clamp on the site with moderate pressure for about 1.5 hours. That was a bit boring since I had no TV and couldn't lift my head or right leg, but they then wheeled me into my room. I had a slow supper while I watched TV since I couldn't lift my head, but it sure hit the spot after no breakfast or lunch.

They started walking me slowly about 5 hours after they rolled me out of the Cath lab. No bleeding so my wife drove me home. I went to work the next morning, though I walked a bit slow and didn't do stairs. I had a bruise about 3" X 5" a week later but it is almost completely gone now. I started taking walks about a week later and felt fine.

Good luck during your heart cath. It can even be a bit interesting since you can watch the screen and learn a bit about your heart.

by C.Driggers, Oct 07, 1999 12:00AM

Is a stint the same thing as heart catherization? If so, how long does the stint procedure last? What are the risks of it failing and what are the causes? How do you know when bypass should be used instead of using a stint?

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