Carotid Artery Stenting: What to Expect at Home

If the doctor gave you a sedative:

• For 24 hours, don't do anything that requires attention to detail, such as going to work, making important decisions, or signing any legal documents. It takes time for the medicine's effects to completely wear off.

• For your safety, do not drive or operate any machinery that could be dangerous. Wait until the medicine wears off and you can think clearly and react easily.

Do not do strenuous exercise and do not lift, pull, or push anything heavy until your doctor says it is okay. This may be for several days. You can walk around the house and do light activity, such as cooking.

If the catheter was placed in your groin, try not to walk up stairs for the first couple of days.

If the catheter was placed in your arm near your wrist, do not bend your wrist deeply for the first couple of days. Be careful using your hand to get into and out of a chair or bed.

If your doctor recommends it, get more exercise. Walking is a good choice. Bit by bit, increase the amount you walk every day. Try for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week.

Ask your doctor when you can drive again.

Your doctor will tell you when you can have sex again.

Carry your stent identification card with you at all times.

Drink plenty of fluids to help your body flush out the dye. If you have kidney, heart, or liver disease and have to limit fluids, talk with your doctor before you increase the amount of fluids you drink.

Keep eating a heart-healthy diet that has lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. If you need help with your diet, talk to your doctor. You also may want to talk to a dietitian. This expert can help you learn about healthy foods and plan meals.

Your doctor will tell you if and when you can restart your medicines. You will also get instructions about taking any new medicines.

If you stopped taking aspirin or some other blood thinner, your doctor will tell you when to start taking it again.

Be safe with medicines. Take your medicines exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor if you think you are having a problem with your medicine.

Your doctor may prescribe a blood thinner such as aspirin. It is important that you take these medicines exactly as directed to help reduce your risk of a stroke. Be sure you get instructions about how to take your medicine safely. Blood thinners can cause serious bleeding problems.

For 1 day or for as long as your doctor recommends, keep a bandage over the spot where the doctor put in the catheter.

Put ice or a cold pack on the area for 10 to 20 minutes at a time to help with soreness or swelling. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin.

You may shower 24 to 48 hours after the procedure, if your doctor okays it. Pat the incision dry.

Do not soak the catheter site until it is healed. Don't take a bath for 1 week, or until your doctor tells you it is okay.

Watch for bleeding from the site. A small amount of blood (up to the size of a quarter) on the bandage can be normal.

If you are bleeding, lie down and press on the area for 15 minutes to try to make it stop. If the bleeding does not stop, call your doctor or seek immediate medical care.

You passed out (lost consciousness).

You have symptoms of a heart attack. These may include: After you call 911, the operator may tell you to chew 1 adult-strength or 2 to 4 low-dose aspirin. Wait for an ambulance. Do not try to drive yourself.

• Chest pain or pressure, or a strange feeling in the chest.

• Sweating.

• Shortness of breath.

• Nausea or vomiting.

• Pain, pressure, or a strange feeling in the back, neck, jaw, or upper belly, or in one or both shoulders or arms.

• Lightheadedness or sudden weakness.

• A fast or irregular heartbeat.

You have symptoms of a stroke. These may include:

• Sudden numbness, tingling, weakness, or loss of movement in your face, arm, or leg, especially on only one side of your body.

• Sudden vision changes.

• Sudden trouble speaking.

• Sudden confusion or trouble understanding simple statements.

• Sudden problems with walking or balance.

• A sudden, severe headache that is different from past headaches.

You are bleeding from the area where the catheter was put in your artery.

You have a fast-growing, painful lump at the catheter site.

You have signs of infection, such as:

• Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness of the skin.

• Red streaks leading from the area.

• Pus draining from the area.

• A fever.

Your leg, arm, or hand is painful, looks blue, or feels cold, numb, or tingly.