When is angioplasty used

Having angioplasty and stenting doesn't mean your heart disease goes away. You'll need to continue healthy lifestyle habits and take medications as prescribed by your doctor. If you have symptoms similar to those you had before coronary angioplasty, such as chest pain or shortness of breath, contact your doctor. If you have chest pain at rest or pain that doesn't respond to nitroglycerin, call or emergency medical help.

Successful angioplasty also means you might not have to undergo coronary artery bypass surgery, a more invasive procedure that requires a longer recovery time. Our patients tell us that the quality of their interactions, our attention to detail and the efficiency of their visits mean health care like they've never experienced.

See the stories of satisfied Mayo Clinic patients. Greg VanBellinger knew from family history that he was at risk for heart disease, but as a fitness enthusiast who stayed on top of his medical appointments, he believed his heart was in good shape.

An offhand decision to participate in a fitness evaluation at Mayo Clinic, however, revealed that Greg's heart was not as [ Photo courtesy of William Jenks Photography After a year history of heart disease that's included a heart attack and stent placements to clear blocked arteries, coronary bypass surgery at Mayo Clinic has helped Trip Hedrick continue pursuing his competitive swimming goals. Looking at him and knowing his competitive swimming background, Clay "Trip" Hedrick seems to [ Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products.

Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Coronary angioplasty AN-jee-o-plas-tee , also called percutaneous coronary intervention, is a procedure used to open clogged heart arteries. Development of atherosclerosis Open pop-up dialog box Close.

Development of atherosclerosis If you have too many cholesterol particles in your blood, cholesterol may accumulate on your artery walls. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Coronary artery stent Open pop-up dialog box Close. Coronary artery stent When placing a coronary artery stent, your doctor will find a blockage in your heart's arteries A. Impromptu Evaluation Uncovers Life-Threatening Heart Disease Greg VanBellinger knew from family history that he was at risk for heart disease, but as a fitness enthusiast who stayed on top of his medical appointments, he believed his heart was in good shape.

Heart Surgery Keeps Trip Hedrick Swimming Strong Photo courtesy of William Jenks Photography After a year history of heart disease that's included a heart attack and stent placements to clear blocked arteries, coronary bypass surgery at Mayo Clinic has helped Trip Hedrick continue pursuing his competitive swimming goals. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Faxon DP, et al. Percutaneous coronary interventions and other interventional procedures. Article: Endovascular treatment for transplant renal artery stenosis: A retrospective cohort study.

Article: Comparison of 2 effect-site concentrations of remifentanil with midazolam during percutaneous Article: Impact of chronic outward force on arterial responses of proximal and Angioplasty -- see more articles.

Reference Desk. Find an Expert. Patient Handouts. Heart News 1 2 3 4 5 Next ». What Causes Atrial Fibrillation? View All News. More HeartSmarts for You Accessing the Artery. Are You Eligible for Cardiac Rehabilitation? Considerations for Caregivers of Angioplasty Patients.

Coronary Angioplasty: Treatment for Heart Disease. Learn from Patients Like You A coronary angioplasty usually takes between 30 minutes and 2 hours. If you're being treated for angina, you'll normally be able to go home later the same day or the day after you have the procedure.

You'll need to avoid heavy lifting, strenuous activities and driving for at least a week. If you've been admitted to hospital following a heart attack, you may need to stay in hospital for several days after the angioplasty procedure before going home. Coronary angioplasties are most commonly performed in people aged 65 or older, as they're more likely to have heart disease. As the procedure doesn't involve making major incisions in the body, it's usually carried out safely in most people.

Doctors refer to this as a minimally invasive form of treatment. The risk of serious complications from a coronary angioplasty is generally small, but this depends on factors such as:. Read more about the possible complications of a coronary angioplasty.

If many coronary arteries have become blocked and narrowed, or the structure of your arteries is abnormal, a coronary artery bypass graft may be considered. This is a type of invasive surgery where sections of healthy blood vessel are taken from other parts of the body and attached to the coronary arteries.