What To Expect Before Coronary Angioplasty

Meeting With Your Doctor

A cardiologist (a doctor who treats people with heart conditions) performs coronary angioplasty at a hospital. If your angioplasty isn't done as emergency treatment, you'll meet with your cardiologist before the procedure. Your doctor will go over your medical history (including the medicines you take), do a physical exam, and talk about the procedure with you. Your doctor also will order some routine tests, including:

• Blood tests
• An EKG (electrocardiogram)
• A chest x ray

When the procedure is scheduled, you will be advised:

• When to begin fasting (not eating or drinking) before the procedure. Often you have to stop eating or drinking by midnight the night before the procedure.
• What medicines you should and shouldn't take on the day of the angioplasty.
• When to arrive at the hospital and where to go.

Even though angioplasty takes 1 to 2 hours, you will likely need to stay in the hospital overnight. In some cases, you will need to stay in the hospital longer. Your doctor may advise you not to drive for a certain amount of time after the procedure, so you may have to arrange for a ride home.