Overview: 

Angioplasty is a procedure creating more space inside an artery that has plaque buildup inside it. Your healthcare provider makes use of a tiny balloon to force plaque against the artery walls so blood can get through your artery. They often place a stent or tube inside the newly opened space to keep it open. 

Angioplasty is a type of surgical procedure that is helpful for people with atherosclerosis or any particular coronary heart disease. 

Angioplasty is a minimally invasive method used to enlarge narrowed or blocked arteries. Arteries can become blocked up over time from plaque deposits (buildup of fat, cholesterol,

cells, and other substances) which can affect any artery in the body and is called atherosclerosis. 

Who needs to have angioplasty? 

People with coronary artery disease or a heart attack may require coronary angioplasty. Angioplasty is also used in other body parts with narrow or blocked arteries, such as your neck, arms, legs, kidneys, and pelvis. Angioplasty allows more blood to get through an artery that is too narrow or blocked with plaque. This means the organ that the artery reaches will get an adequate blood supply post angioplasty. 

What does angioplasty treat? 

Angioplasty treats atherosclerosis (a collection of plaque made of fat and cholesterol) in your arteries in several different places in your body. 

• Coronary artery disease. Coronary angioplasty, or percutaneous coronary intervention, can help you if you have a narrow or blocked coronary artery that's keeping your heart from getting the oxygen it needs, causing chest pain and/or a heart
• Peripheral artery Angioplasty treats atherosclerosis in the major arteries in your arms, legs, and pelvis.
• Carotid artery Angioplasty can help with blocked arteries in your neck. Left untreated, they can lead to a stroke if your brain isn't getting enough oxygen.
• Chronic kidney When plaque collects in the arteries in your kidneys, it affects how much oxygen can reach your kidneys. Sometimes a renal artery angioplasty can help. 

Risks Involved: 

Though rare, some critical complexities can occur from a coronary angioplasty, involving: 

• Damage of blood vessel and bleeding
• Allergic reactions or kidney damage
• Irregular heartbeat
• Heart attack
• Stroke (rare cases)
• Artery collapse
• Angina
• Scar tissue and blood clots around stents 

Advantages of angioplasty 

Benefits of angioplasty include: 

• It has less risk and a lower cost than a surgical
• You'll only have one wound from where the catheters were and a more minor wound from your
• Your provider can put in a stent during your angioplasty if you need 

Alternatives: 

If multiple coronary arteries are blocked and narrowed, or the pattern of arteries is abnormal, a coronary artery bypass graft may be a viable option. It is a type of invasive surgery where healthy blood vessels are taken from other body parts and connected to the coronary arteries. Blood is redirected through these vessels to avoid the narrowed or clogged sections of the arteries. 

Fact Check: 

• If one undergoes angioplasty, it is essential to drink plenty of fluids to help flush the body of the contrast
• It is essential to avoid strenuous exercise and lifting heavy objects for some time if one is undergoing
• Severe complications from angioplasty don't occur often. However, they can happen no matter how careful your doctor is or how well the procedure is done. The most common complications are discomfort and bleeding at the catheter insertion
• Angioplasty and bypass surgery can relieve chest pain and improve the quality of However, it doesn't treat the underlying disease as it is a procedure.
• Sometimes, medication can help cure your blocked artery instead of
• Angioplasty could save you from a heart 

PGC Resolution: To identify the risk factors of the patients before angioplasty. Spreading awareness about lifestyle and home remedies that help people avoid heart diseases.