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The arteries supplying the heart can become narrowed by fatty deposits and calcium. This can reduce blood flow and cause chest discomfort or breathlessness. A sudden blockage can cause a heart attack.

An angiogram shows where the heart arteries are narrowed or blocked. A thin tube is passed through an artery at the wrist or groin, and dye makes the heart arteries visible on X-ray images.

Angioplasty opens a narrowed or blocked heart artery using a balloon and, usually, a stent. It is performed through a small puncture at the wrist or groin, without opening the chest.

A stent is a small metal mesh tube that supports the artery after angioplasty. Most modern stents release medicine to reduce the chance of narrowing returning.

It is carefully sized and expanded to fit the artery and remains permanently in place. Medicines and healthy habits remain essential. Do not stop prescribed antiplatelet medicines without advice from your cardiologist.

Many angiograms and angioplasties can be performed through the wrist. This can reduce bleeding at the entry site and allow earlier movement. The most suitable access route is chosen for each patient.

Emergency angioplasty aims to reopen the suddenly blocked artery and restore blood flow quickly, helping limit heart muscle damage. Suspected heart attack symptoms require immediate medical attention.

The best choice depends on the blockages, heart function, and overall health. Angioplasty opens the artery from inside; bypass surgery creates a new route around the blockage. Medicines remain important with either treatment.

An angiogram review can explain why bypass was recommended and whether angioplasty is a suitable alternative. For some patients, bypass remains the better option.

A second opinion can help when treatment choices are unclear or you have been told that options are limited. Bring your angiography CD and medical reports so the images can be reviewed alongside your symptoms and previous treatment.

Long blockages, hard calcium, branching arteries, or disease in several arteries can make angioplasty more challenging. These cases may need extra planning, specialized tools, and advanced techniques.

The left main artery supplies a large part of the heart. Narrowing here needs careful assessment to decide whether angioplasty or bypass surgery is more appropriate.

Treatment is planned to protect blood flow through both branches. Depending on the blockage, one or both branches may need a stent.

Calcium can make the artery difficult to expand. Special balloons, lithotripsy, or rotablation may be used to prepare it so that a stent can open properly.

Some arteries blocked for months or years can be reopened using specialized techniques. Whether treatment is worthwhile depends on symptoms, the heart muscle supplied, and the expected benefits and risks.

Yes. Tissue growth, further disease, or incomplete stent expansion can cause narrowing. Treatment depends on the cause and may involve a specialized balloon, a drug-coated balloon, or another stent.

In selected patients, angioplasty can treat blockages in the original heart arteries or bypass grafts. The angiogram helps identify the most suitable approach.

An unsuccessful attempt does not always mean treatment is impossible. Reviewing the images may identify another approach. The likelihood of success and the risks are assessed before considering another attempt.

• IVUS: Provides ultrasound images from inside the artery to guide treatment and check the stent.
• IVL and rotablation: Treats hard calcium that makes a blockage difficult to expand.
• Specialized balloons: Helps prepare resistant blockages and improve expansion.
• Drug-coated balloons: Delivers medicine without leaving another metal stent.

Angioplasty can improve blood flow and relieve symptoms. During a heart attack, prompt treatment can help limit heart damage.

Risks include bleeding, artery injury, dye reactions, and kidney problems. Serious complications can include heart attack, stroke, emergency surgery, or death. Your expected benefits and individual risks are discussed before treatment.

Follow the team’s instructions on medicines, activity, puncture-site care, and follow-up. Recovery varies according to your health and whether treatment followed a heart attack.

Continue cholesterol treatment, control blood pressure and diabetes, avoid smoking, and return to exercise as advised.