Clinical Care for Patients of Angioplasty

Guidelines for Coronary Angioplasty and Angioplasty Diet

• Go according to the doctor’s instructions. The patient’s doctor may give him certain instructions on the intake of medicines, their dosage, timing of intake and their possible effects. It is essential to carry on according to the doctor’s advice.
• It is essential to consider the risk factors of arteriosclerosis. He should modify his lifestyle in such a way that the occurrence of risk factor is reduced.
  
  
  
  If he is a chain smoker or an alcoholic, he needs to totally avoid it for faster recovery. Even avoid passive smoking.
• Too much of strenuous activities or heavy lifting can increase the workload on the heart. Hence he should avoid heavy lifting like lifting of bucket or any heavy objects in the initial period. If he did not have any heart damage, he can resume driving within few days to one week after Angioplasty.
  
  
  
  He can consult his doctor with regards to driving. However avoid long drives or rash driving.
• Depending on his progress or nature of occupation, he can resume back to work within several days to several weeks.
• He can do light exercises in the initial period. He can start with slow walking and increase the speed and the distance based on his tolerance. If he suffers from chest discomfort, fatigue or shortness of breath after doing exercise, it means that he is overdoing it. Then it is necessary to cut down the intensity of the exercise.
• Avoid stress and strain. Try to relax and take ample amount of rest.

• His diet should be low in fat and cholesterol. He should cut down the intake of foods that are rich in saturated fats like red meat, egg, butter, high fat milk. These foods can also increase the cholesterol levels. Have fats that are rich in omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids like fish, leafy vegetables, soybean, olives and plant oils.
• Improve the intake of fiber. He can have more of whole grain cereals, pulses, fruits and vegetables.
• If he is diabetic or hypertensive, then he should control his sugar levels or lower the blood pressure. He should avoid salty foods or sugary foods or carbonated beverages. Have soups, gruel or fresh fruit juices instead of processed drinks.