What to expect after a heart catheterization

After your heart catheterization even if you have a stent placed, most people are able to go home the same day.

If the procedure is performed through your wrist, you’ll have a bandage over the access site. We ask you to take it easy with your wrist for about five days. This means avoiding heavy lifting or lifting anything over 10 pounds during that time. Your wrist typically heals very quickly after a heart catheterization, even if a stent was placed. You’ll be up and walking the same day as your procedure. You may feel a little tired the first day, and we ask that you do not drive that day.

Recovery is generally very quick after a stent procedure. If we need to perform the procedure through your leg instead of your wrist, the recovery is slightly longer because the artery is larger. The same general principles apply, and we ask you to take it easy for a few days while we closely monitor the access site. Even when the procedure is performed through the leg, most patients heal quickly after receiving a stent.