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Right Heart Catheterization: What to Expect at Home

Your Recovery

The right side of the heart receives blood from the body and pumps it to the lungs. The blood picks up oxygen in the lungs. A right heart catheterization (also called pulmonary artery catheterization) tests the blood pressure and oxygen levels in your lungs and heart. It also checks to see how well your heart is pumping.

Your doctor put a thin, flexible tube (catheter) into a blood vessel in your neck, groin, or arm. During the test, the doctor moved the catheter through the blood vessel into your heart. A small balloon on the tip of the catheter helped guide it into the artery that carries blood to your lungs (pulmonary artery).

You may have swelling, bruising, or a small lump around the site where the catheter went into your body. You can do light activities around the house. But don't do anything strenuous until your doctor says it is okay. This lets the catheter site heal.

This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to get better as quickly as possible.

How can you care for yourself at home?

Activity

If the doctor gave you a sedative:
- For 24 hours, don't do anything that requires attention to detail, such as going to work, making important decisions, or signing any legal documents. It takes time for the medicine's effects to completely wear off.
- For your safety, do not drive or operate any machinery that could be dangerous. Wait until the medicine wears off and you can think clearly and react easily.
Do not do strenuous exercise and do not lift, pull, or push anything heavy until your doctor says it is okay. This may be for a couple of days. This lets the catheter site heal. You can walk around the house and do light activity, such as cooking.

Diet

If you had dye injected, drink plenty of fluids to help your body flush out the dye. If you have kidney, heart, or liver disease and have to limit fluids, talk with your doctor before you increase the amount of fluids you drink.
You can eat your normal diet. If your stomach is upset, try bland, low-fat foods like plain rice, broiled chicken, toast, and yogurt.

Medicines

Your doctor will tell you if and when you can restart your medicines. You will also be given instructions about taking any new medicines.
If you take aspirin or some other blood thinner, be sure to talk to your doctor. Your doctor will tell you if and when to start taking this medicine again. Make sure that you understand exactly what your doctor wants you to do.
Call your doctor or nurse advice line if you think you are having a problem with your medicine.

Care of the catheter site

For 1 or 2 days, keep the bandage over the spot where the catheter was inserted. The bandage probably will fall off in this time.
Put ice or a cold pack on the area for 10 to 20 minutes at a time to help with soreness or swelling. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin.
You may shower 24 to 48 hours after the procedure, if your doctor okays it. Pat the incision dry.
Do not soak the catheter site until it is healed. Don't take a bath for 1 week, or until your doctor tells you it is okay.
Watch for bleeding from the site. A small amount of blood (up to the size of a quarter) on the bandage can be normal.
If you are bleeding, lie down and press on the area for 15 minutes to try to make it stop. If the bleeding doesn't stop, call your doctor or nurse advice line or seek immediate medical care.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.

When should you call for help?

Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:

You passed out (lost consciousness).
You have symptoms of a heart attack. These may include:
- Chest pain or pressure, or a strange feeling in the chest.
- Sweating.
- Shortness of breath.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Pain, pressure, or a strange feeling in the back, neck, jaw, or upper belly or in one or both shoulders or arms.
- Light-headedness or sudden weakness.
- A fast or irregular heartbeat.

After you call 911, the operator may tell you to chew 1 adult-strength or 2 to 4 low-dose aspirin. Wait for an ambulance. Do not try to drive yourself.

Call your doctor or nurse advice line now or seek immediate medical care if:

You are bleeding from the area where the catheter was put in.
You have a fast-growing, painful lump at the catheter site.
You have symptoms of infection, such as:
- Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.
- Red streaks leading from the area.
- Pus draining from the area.
- A fever.
Your leg, arm, or hand is painful, looks blue, or feels cold, numb, or tingly.

Where can you learn more?

Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd

Enter R076 in the search box to learn more about "Right Heart Catheterization: What to Expect at Home".

Care instructions adapted under license by your healthcare professional. If you have questions about a medical condition or this instruction, always ask your healthcare professional. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.