Warning Signs to Watch For

• After Cardiac Catheterization
• After Open-Heart Surgery
• After an Electrophysiology Procedure

Things to Watch for After Cardiac Catheterization or Angioplasty:
If you see any of the following signs or symptoms, call your doctor:

• Bright red new blood on the dressing. If this occurs, lie down and have someone place firm pressure just above the puncture site for 15 minutes.
• If the bleeding stops, remain lying down for 4 hours. Notify your doctor of what happened.
• If the bleeding does not stop, call 911 and have an ambulance take you to the ER. (The ER staff will notify your doctor.)
• Chest pain (angina)
• Swelling, redness, bleeding, or draining fluids at the site of catheter insertion
• Fever
• Severe pain, coldness, or a bluish color in the arm or leg where the catheter was inserted
• Sudden or worsening shortness of breath

Things to Watch for After Open-Heart Surgery:
If you see any of the following signs or symptoms, call your physician:

• Upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea or a skin rash
• Swelling, redness, or drainage at the edge of the incision
• Weight gain of more than three pounds in a day or five pounds in a week. (Weigh yourself every day.)
• Chills, fever, or sweating for more than a day
• Sudden or worsening shortness of breath
• Shortness of breath while lying down
• A heartbeat that seems fast, slow, or irregular
• Pain in the chest of shoulder that gets worse when you cough or take a deep breath
• Unexplained bruising or bleeding.

Things to Watch for After an Electrophysiology Procedure or Angioplasty:
If you experience any of the following, call your doctor:

• Bright new blood on the dressing. If this occurs, lie down and have someone place firm pressure just above the puncture site for 15 minutes.
• If the bleeding stops, remain lying down for 4 hours. Notify your doctor of what happened.
• If the bleeding does not stop, call 911 and have an ambulance take you to the ER. (The ER staff will notify your doctor.)
• Swelling, redness, or drainage at the site of catheter insertions
• Fever
• Severe pain, coldness, or a bluish color in the arm or leg where a catheter was inserted
• Sudden or worsening shortness of breath
• Dizziness, fainting or rapid heart beating