Angioplasty: Understanding the Procedure, Risks, and Benefits

Angioplasty is a medical procedure that is used to open blocked or narrowed arteries in the heart or other parts of the body.

[{"selector":"#anim-5aae8e29-1a45-443f-bbc9-b7093856ad60","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1350665f-44ad-4d63-8484-aa12aadc96be","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-96.58314%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-59436df7-5472-47a8-a017-af851b56f3e6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7c93ccf6-ec0c-415a-80ee-3d8606fec8c4","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(88.61048%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2f21572d-f35e-4b42-82c6-21aeab17d581","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1b7cbec4-3f4b-413c-9bd6-0f9c534129f0","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(112.34177%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":500,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Angioplasty is typically performed to treat coronary artery disease, which occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the heart become narrowed or blocked due to the buildup of plaque.

[{"selector":"#anim-a57ac4c6-49df-4e30-9b4c-6b6c853025a5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7774436d-5dae-4446-bbea-fcb65fd78920","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-96.81093%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c5071a53-6e32-4bd9-9974-0bfdcb6691d1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-774141e9-5c12-449b-a250-3d2c4936846b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(86.56036%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-84ed0be7-78d9-4989-83ad-8836c8aadbbf","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-546b0d08-7e4b-44f0-955e-5547e049061d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(112.34177%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":500,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

During the procedure, a small balloon is inflated inside the blocked or narrowed artery to push the plaque against the artery walls, opening up the artery and restoring blood flow.

[{"selector":"#anim-3ace04ce-6794-44a4-9f95-94a3441cead1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ae44b114-4bce-47cf-b7ee-0215e3eb323a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-98.17767%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-55161ea5-fe2e-48d3-890f-3810fec28495","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3df92df8-135b-4916-8f6e-cc56704a5a09","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(89.06606%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5a518a24-d458-4885-ab71-8dec6123d256","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3d33f0d0-d20f-4d26-870a-6390885d2bd7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(113.60759%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":500,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

In some cases, a stent (a small metal mesh tube) may be placed in the artery to help keep it open after the procedure.

[{"selector":"#anim-6f1bb8ed-50b3-4525-8b31-73deb96edce5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3fd243f9-24f5-4990-978e-648e5d181309","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-96.58314%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-79f96ac9-769c-43a1-b1eb-666923e5af11","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a7c2883e-e881-4127-baa7-6faf1589c31c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(88.61048%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b4c1f4c6-659c-481a-b77e-b208aba2e87c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ec0e416e-7463-4abd-9004-0dd9b7391bc0","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(112.34177%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":500,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Angioplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that is typically performed under local anesthesia.

[{"selector":"#anim-85e56b86-9ba8-4c7a-b942-f62ef4dc19ee","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6bc51d1a-1f63-44b8-88b5-366a9363f2cf","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-96.58314%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cd3c0645-fb4c-46f3-ad83-d245bf33adec","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1c56f553-7cc4-442f-a673-c905e1c14b32","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(88.61048%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7d18871b-8c25-4500-aa4b-44d6014f326a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-11f8c554-b3e0-4393-b4a7-8bb81a993281","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(112.34177%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":500,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

The risks of angioplasty include bleeding, blood clots, infection, and damage to the artery or surrounding tissue.

[{"selector":"#anim-3e58f85a-631c-4ac5-a722-c739f381dc9a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-df793c82-f60e-42df-9957-d7c58e3618f7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-95.44419%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-07485723-b159-41c1-9ac2-112644ef5277","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7d21c433-8638-4e63-a645-794f3a0874c2","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(88.38269%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-58ff992c-4c13-40e5-83bb-2e8a3f954d85","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-82802e72-29bb-4706-81f5-5de05d82418e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(113.60759%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":500,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

However, the benefits of angioplasty can be significant, including relief of chest pain, improved blood flow to the heart, and a reduced risk of heart attack or other heart-related complications.

[{"selector":"#anim-dd1b838a-bfc0-40a2-a89c-7d65da871043","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d207e50e-69a9-475e-90b2-212e8e00405c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-97.94988%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-88934276-40c9-4926-afeb-4de0d499fb0d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4e954f7a-5c48-437b-9e23-ba763687c93d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(89.29385%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e3a3f79d-51f1-49d2-9a2d-3f55f626a944","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-357e77e2-d896-4aec-a3ff-208287c13cbc","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(114.55696%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":500,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

After the procedure, patients may need to take medications to prevent blood clots and reduce the risk of further artery blockages.

[{"selector":"#anim-d44dd9b9-c7f7-4d3b-addc-111e4d5c54d6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-01cd4409-8a98-4efa-a21e-2ee335ae9415","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-96.58314%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fa04613f-ef58-4ebf-b306-9140df4ec6b9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-09506ad3-48fd-414f-8bc8-fccf7ac3bcbc","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(88.61048%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-26cd9e0f-3de5-41b2-a94f-8f2911a82918","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-82ea7f56-c1a8-483c-a316-226096957724","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(112.34177%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":500,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

In some cases, lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet, and getting regular exercise may also be recommended to help prevent further artery blockages.

[{"selector":"#anim-6ff33bf8-d2cd-4d91-bccb-16d7033db30c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-86a46103-2133-4250-8718-2c4d3f85e4df","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-98.17767%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2b873724-53eb-42b6-bd59-c1fd41803775","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7b37ad7c-6a52-4e97-a2d1-4bf4fbf2a141","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(88.15490%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-57cffb1d-57d5-4f59-9bf7-05f0647e0f88","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0ab50c30-5255-4a5a-a65f-453352717275","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(114.96816%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":500,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]