Avoid further blockages by keeping in mind that:

• Angioplasty is not everything: Coronary angioplasty does not guarantee that the patient will not show resistance to more blockages in future. Though it is the best possible treatment for blockage, it can’t fight the ongoing build-up of plaques in your body. Hence, a lifestyle makeover and adequate care of yourself against the comorbidities is a must.

• Take your medicines regularly: It is quite common for patients to be irregular with medication, particularly as time from the procedure elapses. They believe that medication can be stopped as the procedure has been completed successfully. This is the biggest fault that results in the re-blockages and subsequent consequences. Contrary to this, medication, particularly blood thinners and cholesterol statins or others, as prescribed by your doctor, are mandatory following stent implantation as they prevent life-threatening complications like stent thrombosis.

• Eat a heart-smart diet: Atherosclerotic plaque, which blocks your arteries, is mainly affected by diet intake. To reduce the risk, the American Heart Association recommends cutting down on saturated fat to no more than 5-6% of your total calories. It also advises reducing overall dietary intake by 20 to 30% with the replacement of undesirable foods such as rice, salt, oil, sweet, etc. to make more desirable foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, low-fat dairy products, etc.

• Stay physically active: Being physically active helps you manage high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and obesity. All this contributes to making atherosclerosis and coronary blockages worse. It generally takes a couple of weeks to start returning to normal activities after an angioplasty. If you have not had a heart attack, you can resume light activities or driving as soon as one week after surgery. But if you have already suffered a heart attack, it takes 4  to 6 weeks. It is always advised that you have to discuss with your doctor before starting activities like driving, heavy weight lifting, etc. Avoid alcohol, caffeine and big meals at dinner.

• Don’t ignore or hide symptoms: If post post-angioplasty patient develops any unusual discomfort in the form of chest or neck pain or epigastric discomfort, acidity, breathing difficulty, perspiration, etc., it is always advisable to get an ECG done and consult your cardiologist immediately, as any of them can be life-threatening.

• Go for regular follow-ups: Follow-ups are required after angioplasty or stenting for optimization of treatment, screening for any adverse effects or complications, as well as control of risk factors. Generally, once a month, follow-up is advisable, though the frequency of follow-up might depend on your clinical situation and risk profile. A technically successful procedure is the essence of angioplasty/stenting. Post-procedure adherence to advice and recommendation holds the key to good long-term outcomes. As a society,  it must be appreciated that even a small error in the implementation of follow-up advice can result in undesirable consequences.

• Toss out a cigarette: Smoking is one of the most common risk factors for CAD and is associated with the worst outcome. It damages your blood vessels and raises blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It is a must to stop smoking, and support from a trained counsellor is needed.

• Control your co-morbidities: Apart from cardiac disease, you need to take proper and adequate control of diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and alcohol intake. Uncontrolled comorbidities can lead to re-blockage of your stents or other arteries.

• Keep stress under check and get a good night’s sleep: One study shows that angioplasty patients who slept poorly had an increased risk of requiring another procedure over the next four years. For sound sleep, stick to a regular bedtime every night and avoid alcohol, caffeine and big meals at dinner. Depression is more common in people with heart disease, including angioplasty patients. If left untreated,  depression can worsen heart problems. For this, you can learn several strategies that help you cope with stressful situations. For this, you can do yoga, go for a walk, listen to soothing music, read books, watch entertainment, TV shows or call supportive friends. Consult your doctor if needed.

  Remember, while a technically successful procedure is the essence of angioplasty/stenting, post-procedure adherence to advice and recommendations holds the key to good long-term outcomes. As a society, it must be appreciated that even a small error in the implementation of follow-up advice can result in undesirable consequences.