Angioplasty
What Is Angioplasty?
An angioplasty is a minimally invasive, nonsurgical procedure that opens a narrowed or blocked artery to restore blood flow. This procedure is performed by a vascular specialist and recommended for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and peripheral artery disease (PAD).
This minimally invasive PAD treatment allows patients to forego open heart surgery and see near-immediate results.
What to Expect During an Angioplasty
First, a vascular specialist will connect you to an intravenous (IV) line and administer a sedative to keep you comfortable and relaxed during the procedure. The doctor will also administer anesthesia at the injection site.
To open the artery, the physician inserts a balloon-tipped catheter through a small incision. They will then administer a contrast dye to locate the blocked artery through ultrasound imaging before threading the catheter to the blockage.
Once the balloon tip is inside the artery, the specialist inflates it. This process presses the blood clot or plaque buildup to the side to restore blood flow. After confirming the artery is open, the physician removes the catheter.
Angioplasty Recovery Tips
After your physician removes the catheter, you will move to a comfortable recovery area, where you will lie down for a few hours. Our caring medical staff will monitor your vitals and whether you are experiencing any bleeding during this time. Once you leave the clinic, you might experience tenderness, bruising or mild pain around the incision site. This is normal, and these side effects should dissipate within a few days.
You should also be able to return to your activities of daily living within a few days. To speed along your recovery, make sure you:
- Follow postoperative care instructions.
- Get plenty of rest.
- Stay hydrated.
- Refrain from strenuous exercise.
- Take any prescribed pain medications as directed.
The Benefits of Angioplasty
Angioplasty offers patients the following benefits:
- Pain relief: Many patients experience reduced chest pain, shortness of breath and fatigue in the long term. These benefits allow patients to confidently resume physical activity pain-free.
- Quick recovery: An angioplasty is a minimally invasive procedure, meaning most patients can move around shortly after they awake. The majority of patients recover fully within a few days.
- Improved health: An angioplasty restores optimal blood flow to your arms and legs. This improved blood flow could reduce your risk of heart muscle damage, heart attack and stroke. An angioplasty also reduces the risk of severe PAD symptoms such as gangrene and amputation.
Contact Texas Vein & Wellness Institute to Schedule a Consultation
For innovative angioplasty treatment in Houston, Texas, turn to Texas Vein & Wellness Institute. We are a leading, accredited arterial disease treatment center with six convenient locations across Houston and the surrounding areas. We combine state-of-the-art technology and cutting-edge, minimally invasive treatments to provide world-class arterial disease care.
Our friendly, compassionate medical experts are proud to provide surgical and nonsurgical PAD treatments that improve your health and fit your lifestyle. To learn more about angioplasty or our other nonsurgical treatment options for PAD, contact us online today. You can also call 281-888-1464 to speak with a team member directly and schedule a consultation.
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