General advice for after your procedure
- We will only discharge you home when we are confident the wound site is stable.
- If when you arrive home the wound site begins to bleed heavily, you must sit down and raise your arm above your head pressing firmly on the wound for 10 minutes. If the bleeding continues you must phone 999 for assistance.
- You will need to keep the wound site clean and dry for the first 24 hours. You may shower the day after your procedure. However, refrain from submerging the wound in water for the next couple of days.
- You may experience some discomfort around the wound area for a few days after the procedure. This is normal and you may take regular paracetamol. However, should the symptoms persist, contact your GP.
- You may get a bruise which could take a few days to develop. This is normal.
- If you notice any swelling, redness, warmth or oozing from the puncture site this can indicate infection. Contact your GP.
For the next 48 hours
- refrain from bending your wrist to a 45° angle
- you must not drive
- you may return to work after two days
- you must avoid vigorous exercise and heavy lifting; (nothing heavier than a cup of tea)
Contact details
Ward manager
Ward K2/ Cardiology service
Box: 263
Addenbrooke’s Hospital
Hills Road
Cambridge
CB2 2QQ
Telephone: 01223 256233 Monday to Friday 07:30 to 20:00.
We are smoke-free
Smoking is not allowed anywhere on the hospital campus. For advice and support in quitting, contact your GP or the free NHS stop smoking helpline on 0800 169 0 169.
Other formats
Help accessing this information in other formats is available. To find out more about the services we provide, please visit our patient information help page (see link below) or telephone 01223 256998. www.cuh.nhs.uk/contact-us/accessible-information/
Contact us
Cambridge University Hospitals
NHS Foundation Trust
Hills Road, Cambridge
CB2 0QQ
Telephone +44 (0)1223 245151
https://www.cuh.nhs.uk/contact-us/contact-enquiries/