Physiotherapy after angioplasty

In an acute situation, a patient will usually see a physiotherapist in the hospital the day after their angioplasty operation.

In the hospital, the physiotherapist assesses the patient’s performance, suggests appropriate exercises for their situation and gives them instructions on what to do at home after discharge.

A patient who has had elective angioplasty during stable coronary heart disease may not need to meet a physiotherapist during their inpatient treatment.

The patient benefits from becoming mobile early. Becoming mobile while in hospital is good medicine. Exercise is gradually increased as the rehabilitation progresses. It is important to find the courage and motivation for exercise already in the hospital.

The patient’s diagnosis of coronary heart disease often comes as a shock and they should be given instructions for achieving correct self-care after their recuperation to slow down the progression of their coronary heart disease. Some patients need further instruction after the hospital in-patient stage either at their own health centre or at the Heart Hospital polyclinic.