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 a couple of days. This lets the catheter
site heal. You can walk around the house and do light
activity, such as cooking.

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.

You can eat your normal diet. If your stomach is upset,
try bland, low-fat foods like plain rice, broiled chicken,
toast, and yogurt.

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 take aspirin or some other blood thinner, be sure
to talk to your doctor. Your doctor will tell you if and
when to start taking this medicine again. Make sure that
you understand exactly what your doctor wants you to do.

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

For 1 or 2 days, keep the 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 doesn't
stop, call your doctor or seek immediate medical care.

You passed out (lost consciousness).

You have symptoms of a heart attack. These may include:

• Chest pain or pressure, or a strange feeling in the
  chest.

• Sweating.

• Shortness of breath.

• Nausea or vomiting.

• Pain, pressure, or a strange feeling in the back,
  neck, jaw, or upper belly or in one or both shoulders
  or arms.

• Lightheadedness or sudden weakness.

• A fast or irregular heartbeat.

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

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, arm, or hand is painful, looks blue, or feels
cold, numb, or tingly.