Angioplasty: benefits, procedures, and risks of side effects

There are many medical procedures that doctors will order a patient to undergo after a heart attack has occurred. One such procedure is an angioplasty. Come on, get to know more about the benefits, how it works, and the risks of side effects that may arise after this medical procedure for heart disease is carried out.

What is angioplasty (angioplasty)?

In the 1970's, the only treatment to increase blood flow to a heart with blocked arteries was bypass surgery. However, in 1977, a new treatment known as angioplasty was developed.

Angioplasty (angioplasty) is a procedure to open the blood vessels (coronary arteries) that supply blood to the heart. This procedure is also called percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and was popularized in 19. In many cases, coronary artery stents are inserted after angioplasty to keep blood flowing and prevent the arteries from narrowing again.

Undergoing it in the first few hours after a heart attack might reduce your risk of another heart attack, but timing very important.

According to the Harvard Medical School, angioplasty, which is a treatment for heart disease, must be performed 24 hours before the heart attack occurs. If this medical procedure is performed more than 24 hours after the heart attack, there may be no benefit at all.

That means, the sooner you receive heart attack treatment, the lower your risk of heart failure and other complications. This procedure can also relieve symptoms of heart disease, such as angina (chest pain) and shortness of breath in patients who have never had a heart attack.

The benefits of angioplasty after a heart attack

According to the Society of Angiography and Cardiovascular Intervention (SCAI), angioplasty for the treatment of heart attacks saves many lives. This is an efficient way to get blood flowing to the heart again quickly.

The faster blood flow is restored, the less damage is done to the heart muscle. Angioplasty also relieves chest pain and may prevent recurrence of shortness of breath and other symptoms related to reduced blood flow to the heart muscle.

Apart from being a treatment for heart attack, angioplasty also provides many benefits for patients with advanced heart disease. These positive benefits affect various aspects of life, such as being able to resume physical activity and socializing and improving sex life with partners.

The process and how angioplasty (angioplasty) works

So that you can understand what treatment for heart disease looks like, here are the stages of the procedure.

Preparations before angioplasty are carried out

Prior to a scheduled angioplasty, your doctor will review your medical history and perform a physical exam. You may need to have some routine tests, including a chest x-ray and an electrocardiogram and blood tests.

Your doctor may also ask you to do an imaging test called a coronary angiogram to see if the arteries to your heart are blocked and if they can be treated with angioplasty.

If your doctor finds blockages during your coronary angiogram, he or she may decide to perform an angioplasty and stent placement immediately after the angiogram, while your heart is still catheter in place.

In addition, the preparations that patients usually have to undergo before the procedure are carried out are:

Your doctor may instruct you to adjust or stop taking certain medications before the angioplasty, such as aspirin or blood thinners. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take, including herbal supplements.
Usually, you should stop eating or drinking six to eight hours before the angiography.
Take the approved medication with only a small amount of water in the morning before the procedure.

The angioplasty process

The procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia. First, the arm or groin will be slashed. A catheter with a small, inflatable balloon at the end will be inserted into the artery.

With a video and a special X-ray dye, the surgeon will lift the catheter up to the blocked coronary artery. Once in that position, the balloon is inflated to dilate the artery, causing accumulated fat (plaque) to push against the artery wall, clearing a pathway for proper blood flow.

In some cases, the catheter is also equipped with a stainless steel mesh called a stent. A stent is used to keep the blood vessels open and in their original position after the balloon is deflated and removed. Once the balloon is discharged, the catheter may also be removed. The procedure may take 1 1/2 to several hours.

Post-procedure angioplasty

After the procedure, you will be asked to stay overnight. During this time, your heart will be monitored and your medications adjusted. You can usually return to work or carry out your normal routine a week after the angioplasty.

When you return home, drink plenty of fluids to help rid your body of contrast dye. Avoid strenuous exercise and lift heavy objects for at least a day afterward.

After a heart attack, your doctor will explain how to maintain a healthy lifestyle for your heart. The trick, always take medication according to a doctor's prescription. Do not use additional drugs or supplements without a doctor's supervision.

If you are a smoker, now is the time to quit. A proper diet and exercise will help keep blood pressure and cholesterol levels in the blood low. Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce your chances of having another heart attack.

Risks and potential complications

All medical procedures carry certain risks. You may experience an allergic reaction to the anesthetics, dyes, or some materials used in the angioplasty. Some of the other risks associated with coronary angioplasty include:

Bleeding, clotting, or bruising at the insertion site.
Scar tissue forms inside the stent.
Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia).
Damage to blood vessels, heart valves, or arteries.
Heart attack comes back.
Kidney damage, especially in people who have previously had kidney problems.
Stroke, a rare complication.

The risk of emergency angioplasty after a heart attack is greater than that of angioplasty performed under different circumstances. However, it needs to be reminded again that angioplasty does not heal blocked arteries. In some cases, the arteries can narrow again (restenosis). The risk of restenosis is higher if stents are not used at all.