Angiogram & Angioplasty

  I am scheduled to have an angiogram on Monday.  Depending on the results, an angioplasty may be performed right away.   Would you please explain what an angioplasty entails?   Also, is the recuperation period?  Do I eat regularly?  What kinds of activities will I be able to do?  When will I be able to return to work?   etc. etc.
  Looking forward to hearing from and thank you for your time.

[CCF CARDIO MD APS]

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Dear Greg,
An angioplasty of the coronary artery is literally blowing up a small balloon inside the coronary artery
in order to open up the blockage at least a little.  If the balloon dilation results are suboptimal, or if
the balloon dilation causes a small tear within the plaque (blockage), then the
cardiolgists will likely place a stent - a wire cylindrical mesh structure that is inserted over the balloon
to stent open the area that was just dilated.
Angiogram patients leave the hospital the same day, given there are no complications of the procedure.
Angioplasty patients usually go home the next day, again give no complications arise.
As for return to work and the exact way that things are scheduled or timed for you, you must speak with your
doctor( the one doing the angiogram ) regarding this, as it varies not only from one cardiologist to the next, but also
from one hospital to the next. There are also variabilities from patient to patient.  Good Luck with your angiogram
and please write back if you have any further questions.
Information provided in the heart forum is intended for general medical informational purposes only, actual diagnosis and treatment
can only be made by your physician(s).