Recovery for Catheter-based Treatment Catheter-based treatments for heart conditions, like angioplasty and catheter ablation, usually last between 30 – 90 minutes. After the treatment, you will most likely be hospitalised for 1 – 2 days so that the doctor can observe your condition and ensure that your heart is working normally. Upon discharge, you should be able to resume most normal activities. It is advised that you avoid strenuous exercise and lifting heavy objects for a few weeks while your body recovers. During this time, you may experience some bruising around the catheter's entry point and some soreness around your chest area. However, you should visit your doctor if you experience these symptoms after surgery: Heavy bleeding around catheter's entry point Heavy bruising around the chest area Difficulty breathing with little to no exertion Chest pains Fainting Work stress Recovery for Device Implant Treatment If you are the recipient of a device implant, like a pacemaker or defibrillator, for your heart condition, you will need to stay in hospital for 1 – 2 days for your doctor to check your heartbeat and ensure that the device is working well. While you should be able to resume most normal activities after discharge, you should not drive for at least a week after the surgery. In addition, you should avoid strenuous exercise and lifting heavy objects for at least a month after surgery. Your doctor may also advise you not to raise your arms above shoulder height for around a week to avoid disturbing the electrode leads connecting the device to your heart. Modern pacemaker and defibrillator implants are safe around most household appliances, but you should keep your distance around machines that emit strong magnetic and radio waves. Here are some useful tips: Keep your mobile phone at least 15cm from your implant site. While unlikely, it is possible for the device to confuse the mobile phone signal with your heartbeat. Tell security personnel of your implant, as it can set off security alarms. Scanning using a handheld detector should be limited to less than 30 seconds over the implant site. Make sure you tell your other doctors about your implant. Patients with device implants should not go for certain procedures like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and radiofrequency ablation. Stay about 1 metre away from power generators, high-voltage transformers and other high power machines. If you work around such equipment, you may wish to arrange for your doctor to check your workplace to decide if it is safe for you.
Keep your mobile phone at least 15cm from your implant site. While unlikely, it is possible for the device to confuse the mobile phone signal with your heartbeat. Tell security personnel of your implant, as it can set off security alarms. Scanning using a handheld detector should be limited to less than 30 seconds over the implant site. Make sure you tell your other doctors about your implant. Patients with device implants should not go for certain procedures like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and radiofrequency ablation. Stay about 1 metre away from power generators, high-voltage transformers and other high power machines. If you work around such equipment, you may wish to arrange for your doctor to check your workplace to decide if it is safe for you.
Even with successful treatment, you may need continuous medical care and make lifestyle changes to maintain your quality of life. Without a healthy lifestyle and proper management of your condition, it is possible for your condition to return or for a new heart condition to appear. Smoking is one of the main causes of heart disease, so it is highly recommended for smokers to quit when they are diagnosed with a heart problem. Patients should also quit alcohol and drug abuse. A healthy diet can go a long way in keeping your heart healthy. Avoid foods that are high in fat, salt and sugar. Obesity is one of the biggest causes of heart disease, so you should also adjust your calorie intake to a reasonable amount. Losing weight can lower the strain on your heart and circulatory system, reducing the risk of heart disease as well. Weight loss surgery can be an option for those who need medical help to lose weight. Another way to stay healthy and lose weight is through exercise. While strenuous exercise should be avoided some time after surgery, you should be able to take part in moderate exercise. Aerobic exercises like jogging, brisk walking and swimming are very helpful in improving your heart health. They are also relatively low impact, making them especially useful if you are overweight and unable to take part in high impact exercises. However, always check with your doctor before starting any exercise routine. Make an Enquiry or Appointment Find a Doctor
A healthy diet can go a long way in keeping your heart healthy. Avoid foods that are high in fat, salt and sugar. Obesity is one of the biggest causes of heart disease, so you should also adjust your calorie intake to a reasonable amount. Losing weight can lower the strain on your heart and circulatory system, reducing the risk of heart disease as well. Weight loss surgery can be an option for those who need medical help to lose weight. Another way to stay healthy and lose weight is through exercise. While strenuous exercise should be avoided some time after surgery, you should be able to take part in moderate exercise. Aerobic exercises like jogging, brisk walking and swimming are very helpful in improving your heart health. They are also relatively low impact, making them especially useful if you are overweight and unable to take part in high impact exercises. However, always check with your doctor before starting any exercise routine.
