🫀 Angioplasty and Coronary Stent Recovery
Coronary angioplasty (also called percutaneous coronary intervention or PCI) opens a blocked heart artery using a balloon, usually with a stent placed to keep it open. Recovery from the procedure itself is quick: most patients go home the next day. But the work of protecting your heart starts the day you leave hospital and continues for the rest of your life.
Cardiac rehabilitation is strongly recommended after angioplasty and stent placement[AHA][NHS] and stent placement, even if you feel completely well. The stent fixed the blocked artery. It did not fix the coronary artery disease that caused it.
Cardiac rehab reduces the risk of another heart attack, improves heart function, helps you exercise safely, manages depression, and provides the education to address the risk factors that led to this event. Evidence consistently shows it saves lives.
Fewer than half of eligible patients attend. The most common reason: they weren't told clearly enough, or they felt too well to think they needed it.
If cardiac rehabilitation has not been arranged — ask your GP or cardiologist at your next appointment. In Australia: ask about the Heart Foundation HeartCare programme. In the UK: your hospital should refer you. In the US: ask your cardiologist for a referral.
After a stent, you will be prescribed dual antiplatelet therapy, usually aspirin plus a second drug (clopidogrel, ticagrelor, or prasugrel). Stopping these early significantly increases the risk of stent thrombosis, a clot in the stent that can cause a sudden, severe heart attack. Never stop or reduce these medications without explicit instruction from your cardiologist, even if you feel completely well or are having minor surgery.
Your recovery toolkit
Free interactive tools to track your recovery day by day. Everything stays on your device — nothing is uploaded or shared.
These tools support — never replace — the advice of your surgical team. If something feels wrong, contact your doctor or emergency services.