Cardiac angiogram

Please make sure you get the after care leaflet from the staff - I’m sure they’ll give you some information but make sure it’s in a written form. Good luck - this type of procedure is very safe and of course much better than having to have heart surgery.

This is useful - from the British Heart Foundation so absolutely reliable information
www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/treatments/coronary-angioplasty-and-stents

An elderly man near me had a stent or two at the backend of last year and he's fine, drives and goes bowling. He also is diabetic and lives alone too. It's a safe procedure and doesn't take long, neither is the stay in hospital long . Quite a successful operation.

Thank you all so much - I have been getting good feedback generally that in fact I will or should feel better after the stents are put in - of course the rest down to me I.e healthy eating and exercise ? xx

I've had two angiograms and an angioplasty where a stent was inserted. All were painless and I could watch the procedure on a monitor. The only hardship was having to lie still for around 35 minutes - that was all it took. After the angiograms I went home a couple of hours later but stayed in hospital overnight when the stent was inserted. The instructions then were to take things easy for a week, after which to carry on as normal.
This is a very quick, safe procedure and I'm sure you'll feel fine afterwards.

My husband had a stent fitted about 7 years ago. He'd only had a slight heart attack but was finding that he got pain very quickly when walking. He had the stent done in the evening and came out next morning, very happy that he could walk to the car without any problems. Apart from the medication, we've carried on as normal. He did find that the clopidogrel he had to take for a year affected his bowels!! I wish they'd had stents when my father was ill - what a difference they make! We know quite a few people who've had them - one has several and still goes cycle racing.
Hope the process is as helpful for you.

Suki thank you so much - has made me feel much more confident xxx

Septuma thank you so much - has made me feel much more confident xxx

I had 2 stents fitted in 2006, after a mild heart attack.
I was partially sedated during the procedure, but was able to watch what was going on via a tv screen.
They inserted a tiny tube into the front of my wrist and everything went in from there. I remember thinking that all those blood vessels etc around my heart looked like a spider's web.
No pain at all. Bon Courage!

My older brother had a couple of stents fitted about two years ago. He’s back cycling and refereeing rugby now! Did seem to have a number of tablets but not sure if they were long term or short term.

DH has had 3 stents, he is doing fine. But he walks for about 2 hours a day, with the dog and I ve got him down to a healthy weight so he is no longer pre-diabetic.

Wish I could do the same for my weight.

He took it easy for a while but gradually built up,his stamina and off he went.

Hi Anne - my husband had three stents inserted about 10 years ago and he is as fit as a fiddle these days. He has had absolutely no problems.

After the stents were fitted, he joined a cardiac rehab (exercise) group attached to the hospital and he really felt at home there and enjoyed exercising with his "tribe" who all supported each other (including a couple of women). He continued to go every week years after he was "signed off" by his doctor.

In my memory, he recovered really quickly, he was back at work after about 3 weeks and he has a job that requires physical activity (up and down ladders).

Good luck! Very impressive that you have lost two stone!

Anne107 I recently had a cardiac catheterisation and was very nervous. In the event I felt nothing and was immediately told I didn't need a stent. Only a slight adjustment of my meds is needed. I’ve had angina for about 15 years. Like you I live alone, I was almost kept in overnight but was allowed home in a taxi after 2 hours of rest. I made sure a neighbour was happy for me to phone if had any problems overnight.
I have now been to the first of 4 Healthy Heart Clinic group sessions. Different hcps will advise on and discuss many aspects of maintaining a good lifestyle to support our hearts. These include Rehab Specialists, Psychologist, Dietician, Physiotherapist, and Pharmacist. Our comments and questions were welcomed and fully answered.
It was friendly, well organised, and packed with useful information. Several clear and helpful British Heart Foundation (bhf.org.uk) publications were available.
We were passed stents to examine, so tiny, light, and delicate-looking.
Plenty of thoughtful advice on here from previous posters. You’ve already done well in losing weight. My very best wishes for Friday and for feeling much better when you’re over the procedure.

Anne107 you're welcome! I forgot to say that my stent was put in ten years ago and I hadn't had a heart attack, just angina that didn't respond to medication. As has been mentioned you have to take the blood thinner Clopidogrel for a year afterwards.