Angioplasty

Angioplasty

Angioplasty restores the blood flow through the arteries or veins.

Arteries

An artery is a blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart to other parts of the body. Almost all arteries carry blood with a lot of oxygen in it.

Veins

A vein is a blood vessel that carries blood to heart from other parts of the body. Almost all veins carry deoxygenated blood in it.



Angioplasty restores the blood flow through the arteries or veins. It is to treat Atheroscelerosis(plaque in artery). In this, a thin tube inserted through a blood vessel in the arm or groin up to the involved site in the artery. The tube has a tiny deflated balloon on the end. This balloon is inflated at the site. This inflation-deflation can be done numerous times. This is done to spread the plaque so making way to blood flow. Stent is placed sometimes for better resutls.


Atheroscelerosis

It is a condition in which arteries or veins become narrowed and hardened due to a buildup of plaque around the artery wall. This plaque builds during a long period of time, due to lifestyle habits or some infections.

Symptoms/Signs

  • Chest pain or angina
  • Physical numbness
  • Pain in leg, arm, and anywhere else that has a blocked artery
  • Shortness of breath
  •  fatigue
  • muscle weakness in your legs from lack of circulaion

Causes

  • Increasing Age
  • Junk food

Angiography

This is an imaging test that uses X-rays to view your body's blood vessels. The X-rays provided by an angiography are called angiograms. This test is used to study narrow, blocked, enlarged, or malformed arteries or veins in many parts of your body, including your brain, heart, abdomen, and legs.

Angioplasty Procedure


Balloon

A catheter with a small balloon tip is guided to the narrowing in your artery. Once in place, the balloon is inflated to push the plaque and stretch the artery open to boost blood flow to the heart. Sometimes, inflation and deflation repeat several times. It is to stretch the plaque, so blood stream gets a way to flow.

StentStent

This is a small tube that acts as a scaffold to support the inside of your coronary artery. A balloon catheter, placed over a guide wire, puts the stent into your narrowed coronary artery. Once in place, the balloon is inflated, and the stent expands to the size of the artery and holds it open. The balloon is then deflated and removed while the stent stays in place. Over several weeks, your artery heals around the stent.

After Angioplasty

  • Quit Smoking
  • Lower your cholesterol levels
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Control diabetes and blood pressure
  • Get Regular Exercise

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