Coronary Artery Disease

The goal of angioplasty is to open blood vessels and increase blood flow to the heart. It is done when arteries are narrowed or blocked from coronary artery disease. Angioplasty can be done with or without a small, expandable tube called a Reference stent Opens New Window.

Reference Angioplasty is not surgery. It is done using a thin, soft tube called a catheter that's inserted in your artery. It doesn't use large cuts (incisions) or require anesthesia to make you sleep.

Most of the time, stents are placed during angioplasty. Reference The stent keeps the artery open Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window. When stents are used, there is a smaller chance that the artery will become narrow again.

Your doctor may use a bare metal stent or a Reference drug-eluting stent. Drug-eluting stents are coated with medicine that helps keep the artery open after angioplasty.

Reference Atherectomy might be done during angioplasty. But it is only done in certain cases. Atherectomy is done to shave away and maybe remove plaque in a narrowed artery.

What to think about

Your treatment will depend in part on:

• How many arteries are blocked.
• How badly the arteries are blocked, and where.
• Other heart problems you may have.
• Your feelings about treatment.

No matter what treatment you receive, you'll still need to make changes in the way you eat and how much you exercise. These changes, along with not smoking, will give you the best chance of living a longer, healthier life. A Reference cardiac rehabilitation program can help you make these healthy changes.

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This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.