Cardiac Catheterization

Discharge Instructions

Medications

Your physician may order medication(s) for you to take after your cath procedure. Prior to your leaving the hospital, you will be given a list of medications that are being ordered by your physician, and your nurse will explain the dose, medication schedule, and possible side effects. You will also be given prescriptions to take to your pharmacy.

Diet

Your diet recommendations will depend on the results of your procedure. Your nurse will tell you what type of diet your physician recommends. If you have questions about any dietary changes, ask if dietitian is available to assist you in understanding your new food plan. You will be given materials to help you plan your meals.

Activity

Your physician will instruct you as to when you can return to your usual daily routine. The period of time before returning to normal activities may range from two to three days to a longer period, depending on whether you have had heart damage from a heart attack. Your physician will give you specific instructions. In addition, you should not do any lifting until your physician advises you to do so.

Sexual Activity

You may be able to resume sexual activity within seven to 10 days, unless your physician instructs you differently.

Bath Care

Once you are out of bed, you will most likely be allowed to take a shower. Some precautions related to taking a shower for the first few days after a cath procedure may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• You may use your usual soap and water. However, do not scrub or apply pressure at the site in the groin or arm where the catheter was inserted.
  
  
• Remember to pat the catheter site dry with a towel and do not rub.
  
  
• You should not take a tub bath for the period of time your physician specifies, which may be for a week after your procedure. Sitting in a tub of water, which includes a hot tub, can cause infection at the catheter site.
  

Site Care

• Pat the catheter site dry after taking a shower, instead of rubbing.
  
  
• Keep the site clean and dry by placing a Band-aid® on it until it is healed.
  
  
• Change the Band-aid® every day until healing occurs.
  
  
• Check the site at least once a day. Report any additional bruising, swelling, drainage, redness, or warmth at the site to your physician immediately.
  
  
• It is not unusual to see bruising around the catheter site, or even a raised, hard, bruised area, called a hematoma. Bruising and hematomas usually fade away within a week or two.
  

Driving a Vehicle

Your physician will give you instructions as to when you may resume driving. It is very important that you make arrangements for someone to drive you home from the hospital following your procedure.

Returning to Work

Your physician will give you instructions as to when you may return to work. The type of work you do, as well as your health condition and degree of recovery will affect the physician's decision as to how long you will need to remain out of work.

Office Visit

Your physician will schedule a follow-up office visit within a week to a month after your procedure. Your condition and the extent of any heart damage will determine the length of time until your appointment.

Warning Signs/Symptoms to Monitor

The presence of any of the following warning signs should be reported to your physician immediately:

• chest pain/pressure, nausea and/or vomiting, profuse sweating, dizziness and/or fainting
  
  
• any symptoms in the leg or arm where the catheter was inserted, such as pain, coolness, numbness, and/or weakness
  
  
• bleeding from the catheter site in the groin or arm, increased pain at the site, or increased bruising and/or hematoma
  

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