So, my mom gives me a call that my dad did a stress test today and they discovered a blocked artery. They had an opening on thursday to unblock it.
so the questions:
since they are making it out to be an in and out thing, is that bullshit or alittle more of an overnight thing? (yes i know every case can be different)
how long is recovery typically for that?
by the way, i am asking as a worried son so bear with me.
Getting a bypass, that's another story.
P.S. Have him ask for a Valium drip prior to the procedure (they asked me if I wanted one so I said, "sure") as it takes any edge off.
Oh yeah! I forgot that part. That was painful, but for only a few minutes.
Wishing good luck to your dad; the procedure in itself is not a major surgery.
also can save his life. this is why you should get checked out rather often
Having an angioplasty/ stent put in for a clogged artery is routine these days. I was awake the whole time and I hardly felt anything. As soon as the procedure was over I felt immediate improvement in my chest and I went home the same day.
Although the procedure is relatively painless its not a piece of cake. He'll have to take it easy for a few weeks and he'll be on blood thinners. There is also the chance that they could go in and decide the blockage is inaccessible and untreatable using a stent. In that case he would have to come back for open heart surgery but that would be another day.
Doctor comes in and says, "You've had a massive heart attack. We've got to put a couple of stents in to clear a blockage, and we've got to do it right now.
I said," Go ahead. I'm not asking for a second opinion. But there's one thing...my favorite tattoo is on my chest, so, when you cut me open, please be careful."
Doctor replies, "No, you don't understand. We do this through your groin."
I said, "Well, in that case, be really fucking careful.