Self care after interventional procedures

Resuming sexual activity

Ask your doctor what's right for you. In general, after an interventional procedure and a heart attack, you may resume sexual activity as soon as you are comfortable enough to tolerate activity equal to climbing one to two flights of stairs.

Bathing

You can shower right away. A mild antibacterial soap is best. Avoid a bath, whirlpool bath, hot tub or swimming until your doctor says it is OK.

Signs to watch for at an incision site

If your incision site bleeds, develops brusing or a sudden hard lump under the skin, lie down, apply pressure slightly above the site and call 911.
If your incision site becomes swollen, red, painful, starts to drain, or if you have a fever, call your doctor.

Aspirin and other anti-platelet medicines

Both aspirin and other anti-platelet medicine prevent the platelets in your blood from sticking to irregular surfaces on your coronary arteries. Your cardiologist may prescribe both medicines for several weeks or months after your procedure. Continue to take your prescribed aspirin every day.

Is it a heart attack or angina?

Heart attack pain usually remains after 15 minutes of resting. A nitroglycerin tablet only provides temporary or incomplete relief. If the pain is relieved, it usually returns.
Rest and nitroglycerin often relieve angina.

If angina occurs

If you feel symptoms of angina, follow these steps unless your health care provider has given you other instructions:

Take one nitroglycerin tablet or use one nitroglycerin spray. Sit for 5 minutes.
If the angina goes away, rest for a while, then continue your normal routine.
If the angina does not go away or gets worse, call 911 right away. Do not delay. Do not drive yourself to a hospital emergency room or urgent care.