Your father can rest assured that after a successful heart angioplasty he can look forward to a good quality of life and longevity provided that the coronary disease fits the criteria and the coronary angioplasty is technically sound and complete.
Some simple rules to follow after the coronary angioplasty procedure are – ensure full compliance with the medication especially the blood thinning agents.
Usually two blood thinning agents are given and these should be taken meticulously every day without fail.
Even missing a single dose can cause complications especially in the initial 3 to 6 month period when the heart stent is still “healing” and on no account should they be stopped unless discussed directly with the interventional cardiologist or if life threatening bleeding or other emergency occurs.
As to the other medication, these have to be titrated up to ensure that cholesterol/LDL/HDL and glucose levels are at optimal levels and your physician will be able to advise you on what the target levels are. Blood pressure has to be well controlled and diet also plays a crucial part.
Also it is important that you address factors such as having adequate sleep and less stress in life in general. Physical activity is very important and has the added advantage of helping to reduce stress, blood pressure and weight.
In the initial stages following the procedure it is advisable that activity or physical exercise is undertaken with a qualified cardiac rehabilitation physiotherapist who is adequately trained and has the necessary equipment in the area of exercise.
