All the risks, types, & recovery information you need to know about the angioplasty procedure
Angioplasty is a type of medical/surgical procedure that is performed on your heart. Currently, it is one of the easiest and safest heart surgery you can go through as it is a minimally invasive surgical procedure with a very fast recovery time. Angioplasty is also a short surgery that takes only about an hour to perform, and the patient can be discharged within a day with no requirement for ICU stays. However, there are risks and shortcomings to the procedure as well. So, let’s take a detailed look at angioplasty, its risks, types, and recovery.
Types Of Angioplasty
Balloon Angioplasty
Balloon angioplasty is a procedure where a balloon-shaped catheter is inserted into your body through one of your major arteries in the arms or legs. That catheter is then pushed all the way to the heart and to the point where the blockage exists. During this procedure, the catheter expands the artery that has become narrowed due to plaque buildup. The balloon is blown to expand the artery and clear the blockage. It is a quick, easy, safe, and minimally invasive surgical procedure.
Stent Implant
There are times when doctors understand that a regular angioplasty will not solve the problem of the patient. They fear that the blockage or narrowing of the artery may return, and to combat that; a medical device called a stent is placed in the artery to prevent it from narrowing down again. The stent can be made of different materials such as metal or plastic. With advancements in medical technology, metal or wire, stents are not used anymore as much as possible. Today, stents are coated with special medicines that prevent the artery from narrowing again when the stent is placed. This improves the overall longevity of the angioplasty surgery.
Risks Involved In An Angioplasty Surgery
Angioplasty is a very safe procedure in general; you can say it is perhaps the safest cardiac surgery you can go through, but it has its own set of risks. Statistics are in your favour as the odds of you getting these complications coming true are very low. So, just for your information, here are the risks involved in angioplasty surgery.
Arrhythmia
Chest pain
Blood clot or arterial blockage that requires immediate surgical intervention
Tear or damage to a major artery or blood vessel
Stroke
Heart attack
It is much better to be informed about the risks of any procedure before you go through it for the purpose of your own safety. Please speak to your doctor about your preexisting conditions and medical information to ensure you are not at risk of the conditions mentioned above.
Recovery Process From An Angioplasty Surgery
As a minimally invasive surgery, the recovery process is very quick, with only a couple of days required for you to get back home and slowly get back to your normal lifestyle. After the surgery, the catheter and the bandages are removed after a few hours. You can expect some bleeding from the area where the catheter went into your body. Otherwise, it is a safe procedure with not many side effects that you might face afterward. Doctors advise patients to not drive and lift weights for a few days, and after that, they can completely get back to their normal lifestyle again.
Conclusion
An angioplasty surgery is an amazing treatment opportunity for patients that suffer from cardiovascular problems. The risk factors mentioned in the article are not very serious, but it has a lot to do with your medical care provider. If you are going for a safe and renowned hospital such as Medipulse hospital in Jodhpur, you can expect lower risk probabilities than other hospitals that are not as well-equipped and staffed to handle angioplasty surgeries. So, for the sake of your safety, choose a good medical care partner such as Medipulse hospital for your angioplasty surgery.