On the day of your balloon angioplasty, you will first be taken to a pre-procedure room. Make sure to have a list of your current medications, including prescriptions and any over-the-counter medication, supplements, or herbal remedies you are taking.

 

To prepare for your angioplasty, your healthcare professional will first make sure that your intravenous line, or IV, has been placed. You will be given drugs and fluids through your IV to help relax and comfort you during the procedure.

 

Patches will be applied to the skin of your chest, arms, or legs for an electrocardiogram, or EKG. The EKG patches record the electrical activity of your heart during the procedure.

 

Your doctor may be available to answer any last-minute questions that you may have, and your family or friends may be able to stay with you until it is time for you to go to the cardiac cath lab.