A coronary angioplasty is a procedure used to widen blocked or narrowed coronary arteries (the main blood vessels supplying the heart).
- What are the benefits of a coronary angioplasty?
In most cases, the blood flow through the coronary arteries improves after an angioplasty. Many people find their symptoms get significantly better and they’re able to do more than they could before the procedure.
If you’ve had a heart attack, an angioplasty can increase your chances of surviving more than clot-busting medication (thrombolysis). The procedure can also reduce your chances of having another heart attack in the future.
- How safe is a coronary angioplasty?
A coronary angioplasty is 1 of the most common types of treatment for the heart.
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:
→your age
→your general health
→whether you’ve had a heart attack
Serious problems that can occur as a result of the procedure include:
1)excessive bleeding
2)a heart attack
3)a stroke