HomeHealth TopicsBlood Heart CirculationAngioplasty
Back to Blood Heart Circulation
Angioplasty
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Blood Heart Circulation

Angioplasty

Angioplasty is a medical procedure used to widen narrowed or blocked coronary arteries to improve blood flow to the heart.

What is angioplasty?

Angioplasty is a procedure to improve blood flow in coronary arteries that have become narrow or blocked. Your coronary arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to your heart. If you have coronary artery disease, a sticky material called plaque builds up in your coronary arteries. Plaque is made of cholesterol, calcium, and other substances in your blood. Over time, it can narrow your arteries or fully block them. When this happens, some parts of your heart don't get enough blood.

Angioplasty widens the blocked part of your artery so more blood can get through. It is also called percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

What conditions does angioplasty treat?

Doctors (usually a heart specialist called a cardiologist) use angioplasty to:

  • Reduce chest pain from blockages in the coronary arteries. This type of pain is called angina. There are different types of angina. Angioplasty treats certain types.
  • Limit damage to the heart during or right after a heart attack. In this case, angioplasty is an emergency treatment.

Angioplasty does not cure coronary artery disease. To help prevent more plaque blockages, you'll need to take any prescribed medicines, eat healthy foods, and get regular exercise.

What happens during angioplasty?

Most people have angioplasties in a hospital in a special room called a cardiac catheterization, or cath, lab. You will be awake and lying down. You'll get medicine to help you relax through an intravenous (IV) line. This is a small tube that goes into a vein in your hand or arm.

Angioplasty is done through a blood vessel in your arm, wrist, or groin. Your doctor will:

  • Make a small opening in that area to insert a thin tube (a catheter) into a blood vessel.
  • Thread the tube through the vessel to your heart, using x-rays as a guide.
  • Inject contrast dye inside your arteries. The dye highlights your heart and blood vessels in the x-rays.
  • Replace the first tube with another one that has a small, deflated balloon on the end.
  • Guide the balloon inside the blockage and inflate it to push the plaque flat against the artery wall. This makes the artery wider and improves blood flow.
  • Sometimes put a small, mesh tube into the artery to help keep it open. The tube is called a stent. Some stents have a coating of medicine that helps prevent blood clots from forming.

What happens after an angioplasty?

If you had an angioplasty for chest pain, you'll go to a recovery room for a few hours. You may stay in the hospital overnight. Your doctor will probably prescribe medicines to prevent blood clots. Most people can return to their usual activities after a week.

If you had an emergency angioplasty for a heart attack, you'll need to stay in the hospital for about a few more days.

Are there any risks from angioplasty?

Angioplasty is very safe, but every invasive procedure comes with risks. You may get a bruise, feel sore, or have some bleeding where the tubes were inserted. More serious problems don't happen very often, but they are possible. They can include serious bleeding, blood clots, and narrowing of the artery again.

Frequently Asked Questions

fter angioplasty, you'll typically stay in the hospital for a few hours or overnight for monitoring. You may have some soreness or bruising at the catheter insertion site (usually the wrist or groin). You'll be advised to avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activity for a short period, and your doctor will give you instructions on medication, wound care, and when to resume normal activities.
ngioplasty is very effective at immediately improving blood flow and relieving symptoms like angina, and it can be life-saving during a heart attack. However, it does not cure coronary artery disease. To prevent future blockages and heart problems, long-term care is crucial, including taking prescribed medications, adopting a heart-healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and managing risk factors like high blood pressure and cholesterol.
While generally safe, angioplasty carries some risks. These can include bleeding or bruising at the catheter insertion site, damage to the artery, allergic reaction to the dye, kidney problems, or, rarely, a heart attack or stroke. Your cardiologist will discuss these risks with you and determine if angioplasty is the right procedure for your condition.
Before an angioplasty, your doctor will provide specific instructions. Generally, you'll need to inform them about all medications you're taking, especially blood thinners, as some may need to be stopped temporarily. You'll also likely be asked to fast for several hours before the procedure and arrange for someone to drive you home afterward.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

kontakt@hittavard.se

Ⓒ 2024. Alla rättigheter förbehålls av juxt ab

Sök
Om ossVillkor och policyVanliga frågorKontakta oss