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Plaque can build up on your heart’s arteries. Over time, this plaque buildup can limit the amount of blood that flows to and from the heart, which can create dangerous health conditions and even lead to a heart attack. Certified cardiologists can use an angioplasty procedure to remove the plaque and clear clogged arteries.
What Is a Balloon Angioplasty?
It is important to note that there are several types of angioplasty procedures, including angioplasty stenting and angioplasty ballooning. In layman’s terms, an angioplasty is a surgical procedure that is designed to increase blood flow to and from your heart. During the balloon angioplasty procedure, a small balloon is attached to the tip of a cardiac catheter.
The balloon is slowly inflated to stretch the artery wall; at the same time, plaque is condensed. The result is an increased inner artery diameter. When the artery is open, the surgeon will then carefully deflate and remove the balloon. The patient will need to be monitored in the following weeks to ensure that the artery remains open, blood continues to flow properly to and from the heart, and that no additional procedures are needed.
What Is the Angioplasty Stenting Procedure?
The angioplasty stenting procedure uses a small stent to help support your coronary artery. The balloon catheter is used to place the stent into the clogged coronary artery. The balloon is then inflated, which causes the stent to expand in size.
Once the stent has fully opened and the artery is open, the balloon is then deflated and removed. However, unlike an angioplasty ballooning procedure where nothing is left behind, in an angioplasty stenting procedure, the stent is left in place after surgery.
It is important that patients carefully follow doctor instructions after an angioplasty stenting procedure. The recovery period will vary from patient to patient, but it typically lasts up to a few weeks. During this time, patients should ask their doctor for detailed instructions regarding the activities they can complete.
Other questions that should be asked include:
- What medicines should I take?
- What are the signs of infection?
- Are there any indications that the stent has collapsed?
- How much and what type of exercise can I complete?
- When should I plan on visiting the cardiologist for a follow-up?
- Are there certain foods and activities that I should avoid?
- When can I travel and fly in an airplane?
By carefully discussing and answering the above questions with their cardiologist, patients can ensure they are taking the right steps on their healing journey.
Ask Brookhaven Heart About Angioplasty Stenting and Balloon Angioplasty
Are you experiencing the common symptoms associated with plaque buildup in your artery walls? Whether you have already been diagnosed or you are concerned that you might have clogged arteries, the Brookhaven Heart team of cardiologists is here to help.
Contact Brookhaven Heart by calling 631-654-3278 to ask questions about angioplasty stenting, balloon angioplasty, and other heart disease treatments. You can also schedule an appointment online for your heart consultation at one of our three locations in Patchogue, New Hyde Park, and Hicksville, New York. Don’t delay; begin your journey toward a healthy heart with the help of Brookhaven Heart.
