What is angioplasty?
Angioplasty, also called balloon angioplasty, is a procedure that expands a blocked or constricted artery. During the angioplasty procedure, your provider runs a thin tube through a blood vessel in your arm or your groin until it reaches the artery blockage. They inject a contrast dye through the tube and locate the arterial blockage using X-ray imaging.
Through the tube, your provider inflates a tiny balloon on its end to widen the artery. They may also use the angioplasty to place a stent, which is a wire mesh tube that can hold an artery open. The procedure can drastically lower your risk of certain cardiovascular complications and requires little recovery time.
What does angioplasty treat?
Angioplasty is a treatment for blocked or narrowed arteries in the region around your heart, called your coronary arteries. They can become narrower as cholesterol and other substances build up along their walls into a waxy substance called plaque. This can reduce blood flow to your heart and put you at risk for complications like chest pain and heart attacks.
How should I prepare for angioplasty?
Angioplasty is minimally invasive, so you won’t have to prepare as much as you would for other cardiovascular surgeries. At Advanced Cardiovascular Consultants, the team tells you what you’ll need to do in preparation for the procedure to minimize your risk of complications. Your preparation may involve:
- Adjusting your current medications
- Avoiding eating and drinking for 6-8 hours beforehand
- Taking a kidney test to make sure the contrast dye
- Arranging a ride home after your procedure
Your provider at Advanced Cardiovascular Consultants also tells you how to take care of yourself after your angioplasty to maintain your cardiovascular health and avoid the need for other procedures. Depending on your current habits, their instructions may include stopping smoking, cleaning up your diet, and exercising more often.
How long does it take to recover after angioplasty?
After the angioplasty, you’ll need to stay in the hospital overnight as your providers monitor your heart. In the days following the procedure, you should drink plenty of water to help flush the contrast dye from your system and restrict strenuous activity. Within a week, you can go back to work and continue your regular routine.
You should call Advanced Cardiovascular Consultants if you experience any unusual symptoms after the procedure, like bleeding from the injection site, new or worsening chest pain, or weakness.
To find out if you need an angioplasty to improve your cardiovascular health, call Advanced Cardiovascular Consultants, or book an appointment online today.
