Diabetics -- Leaving the Hospital After Cardiac Catheterization

As a diabetic you are probably very knowledgeable about the signs and symptoms associated with abnormal blood sugar levels. After your procedure it is important not to assume that these symptoms are always related to blood sugar problems. Report to your doctor immediately if you have any sensation of anxiety, sweating, weakness, difficulty with your vision, or shortness of breath. These symptoms may reflect a complication from the procedure such as vessel closure or a "silent heart attack." Diabetic patients are known to have "silent heart attacks", as they are less likely to develop the typical chest pain associated with heart attacks.