Blood vessels of the heart may become narrowed and even blocked due to the build-up of plaque (fatty deposits and other substances). This blockage may lead to a heart attack or its symptoms such as chest pain and shortness of breath. Balloon angioplasty is a minimally invasive surgical procedure. This is a procedure that involves the temporary insertion and inflation of a balloon inside the blocked artery to re-open the artery and restore normal blood flow.
Balloon angioplasty is performed to relieve symptoms of blocked arteries, most commonly chest pain and shortness of breath. This procedure may also be done to immediately re-open blocked blood vessels and stop damage to the heart muscle before it dies.
Although balloon angioplasty is a minimally invasive procedure, it does carry some risks.
After the procedure is performed, the nurse/operator will apply pressure to the puncture site to make sure there is no internal bleeding. If the procedure is to be performed through the leg you will be advised not to walk soon after the procedure. You will be asked to rest on your back for several hours whilst the nurse/operator observe that there is no bleeding from the puncture site. In some cases, you may be required to spend the night at the hospital. There are chances that blood clots may form inside the operated region within the blood vessel and so you will be prescribed medicines to prevent this. You will also be advised not to lift heavy things and to avoid carrying out vigorous physical activities. Call your doctor if you experience:
After the procedure, lifestyle habits should be modified, smoking should be stopped, blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels should be maintained. A healthy diet should be followed. Regular exercise should be carried out. Medicines should be taken as prescribed. If symptoms reappear, one should not hesitate to contact the doctor!