Daily Living – Stents Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Overview

For many people, coronary artery disease treatment improves blood flow through what was the blocked coronary artery. As a result of which there should be less chest pain and a greater capacity for exercise.

Although stents and bypass surgery may be able to reopen arteries and help keep them open, these treatments may not stop atherosclerosis and are not a cure for coronary artery disease. To maintain good results after stenting adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle. These lifestyle changes can help prevent or slow the progression of coronary artery disease.

• Maintain a healthy weight – Reduce calorie intake and get more exercise.
• Stop smoking – Nicotine constricts blood vessels and forces the heart to work harder. Carbon monoxide reduces oxygen in the blood and damages the lining of the blood vessels. Quitting smoking may help reduce risk of a heart attack.
• Control your blood pressure – Check blood pressure regularly. Consult a healthcare professional to control blood pressure symptoms. 
• Control cholesterol – It may be helpful to check cholesterol readings regularly. It may help to eat fewer high-cholesterol foods, and take cholesterol-lowering medication if prescribed by a doctor.
• Keep diabetes under control – Controlling blood sugar levels may help slow the progression of coronary artery disease.
• Get moving – Exercise may help achieve and maintain a healthy weight. It may also help control diabetes, elevated cholesterol and high blood pressure. As with all exercise programs, seek the advice of a doctor before starting any exercise program.
• Eat healthy foods – A heart-healthy diet based on fruits, vegetables and whole grains - and low in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium may help control weight management, blood pressure and cholesterol. Reducing fat and cholesterol in the diet may help in preventing additional blockages in the arteries.
• Manage stress – It may help to reduce stress as much as possible. Healthy techniques for managing stress, such as muscle relaxation and deep breathing might help.

Information for Caregivers

If you live with a patient who is recovering from therapy, it is important to keep in mind that even the smallest considerations go a long way toward making their recovery easier.

Helping Out After the Procedure

Often, even the smallest considerations go a long way to make recovery easier, things to consider are:

• Help out with chores and errands during recovery
• Remind the patient to take their prescribed medications according to doctor’s instructions
• Help get medications refilled
• Help remember doctor appointments and doctor instructions
• Keep notes about insurance and other paperwork
• Listen to concerns and frustrations and offer support
• Encourage the patient to join a support group to share experiences and thoughts with others in the same situation. (Hospitals and community centers often have support groups.)

Making Healthy Lifestyle Changes Together

• Exercise together
• Quit smoking together
• Help plan and prepare heart-healthy meals
• Take steps to reduce and better manage stress

Consider that the patient with coronary artery disease is in charge of his or her own recovery. Ask the patient what kind of assistance would be most helpful to him or her.