If the doctor gave you a sedative:

• For 24 hours, don't do anything that requires
  attention to detail, such as going to work, making
  important decisions, or signing any legal documents.
  It takes time for the medicine's effects to completely
  wear off.

• For your safety, do not drive or operate any machinery
  that could be dangerous. Wait until the medicine wears
  off and you can think clearly and react easily.

Do not do strenuous exercise and do not lift, pull, or
push anything heavy until your doctor says it is okay.
This may be for several days. You can walk around the
house and do light activity, such as cooking.

Try not to walk up stairs for the first couple of days.

If you had dye injected, drink plenty of fluids to help
your body flush out the dye. If you have kidney, heart, or
liver disease and have to limit fluids, talk with your
doctor before you increase the amount of fluids you drink.

Your doctor will tell you if and when you can restart your
medicines. You will also be given instructions about
taking any new medicines.

If you stopped taking aspirin or some other blood thinner,
your doctor will tell you when to start taking it again.

Call your doctor if you think you are having a problem
with your medicine.

For 1 or 2 days, keep a bandage over the spot where the
catheter was inserted. The bandage probably will fall off
in this time.

Put ice or a cold pack on the area for 10 to 20 minutes at
a time to help with soreness or swelling. Put a thin cloth
between the ice and your skin.

You may shower 24 to 48 hours after the procedure, if your
doctor okays it. Pat the incision dry.

Do not soak the catheter site until it is healed. Don't
take a bath for 1 week, or until your doctor tells you it
is okay.

Watch for bleeding from the site. A small amount of blood
(up to the size of a quarter) on the bandage can be
normal.

If you are bleeding, lie down and press on the area for 15
minutes to try to make it stop. If the bleeding does not
stop, call your doctor or seek immediate medical care.

Keep a medical ID card with you at all times that says you
have a pacemaker. The card should include the manufacturer
and model information.

Wear medical alert jewelry stating that you have a
pacemaker. You can buy this at most drugstores.

Tell all of your doctors, dentists, and other health
professionals that you have a pacemaker before you have
any test, procedure, or surgery.

Ask your doctor for a list of electric devices that you
might need to keep a short distance from your pacemaker.

Check your pulse as directed by your doctor.

Have your pacemaker checked as often as your doctor
recommends. In some cases, this may be done from your
home. Your doctor will give you instructions about how to
do this.

You passed out (lost consciousness).

You have trouble breathing.

You are bleeding from the area where the catheter was put
in your blood vessel.

You have a fast-growing, painful lump at the catheter
site.

You have symptoms of infection, such as:

• Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.

• Red streaks leading from the area.

• Pus draining from the area.

• A fever.

Your leg looks blue or feels cold, numb, or tingly.

You are dizzy or lightheaded, or you feel like you may
faint.