What is angioplasty? It’s a treatment procedure done to widen an artery with reduced passageway circumference because of a build up of plaque on its inside walls, a condition known as atherosclerosis. How your artery is opened up is by inflating a tiny balloon on the end of a tube. The benefit of angioplasty inflation is blood will once again flow smoothly through the previously clogged area.
There are different types of angioplasty because it can be performed on various arteries throughout your body. And although angioplasty is considered a relatively safe procedure, there are some associated risks depending on where its done. Following is basic info on what is coronary, carotid and peripheral angioplasty, coupled with some of their risks.
Coronary Angioplasty
Coronary angioplasty is performed on narrowed arteries that supply blood to your heart, aka coronary artery disease. Plaque builds up in these arteries can cause angina related chest pain and shortness of breath because of the reduced blood flow. So, improving blood flow via widening relieves these heart disease symptoms. Also, this type of angioplasty is beneficial for opening a blocked artery during a heart attack.
A few of the risks involved with this type of angioplasty include:
- blood clot
- heart attack
- arrhythmias
- heart valve damage
- blood vessel damage
Coronary angioplasty is performed on millions each year and the justification for performing some are controversial, for instance to prevent a future heart attack.
Carotid Angioplasty
Carotid angioplasty is performed on an artery in your neck that supplies blood to the brain and face. Symptoms indicating a carotid artery may be narrowing (carotid stenosis) are weakness, blurry vision, confusion, slurred speech and seizures. The major health concern involving a blockage of this artery is stroke. The risks for this type of angioplasty are:
- blood clots
- brain damage
- brain bleeding
Carotid angioplasty does lower the risk for having a stroke.
Peripheral Angioplasty
Peripheral angioplasty treats reduction of blood flow feeding your extremities (peripheral artery disease), particularly certain arteries in your hip, thigh, knee and lower leg. Hampered flow through a peripheral artery can cause pain, cramps or heaviness, especially during activity. Some particular risks associated with peripheral type angioplasty are:
- nerve damage
- blood vessel damage
- blood clot ~ legs, lungs
Angioplasty accomplishes a single objective, improving blood flow at the location where it’s performed. Afterwards you still need to take the steps necessary to reduce the risk of plaque accumulation in all your arteries, like consuming a healthy diet, exercise regularly, lose weight if obese and lower your cholesterol.