Is Angioplasty and Stent the same thing? Surgeon Explains

Are Angioplasty And Stent The Same Thing?

Coronary angioplasty is a technique that is performed to open up restricted or obstructed coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle.

The term "angioplasty" refers to the procedure of stretching open a restricted or obstructed artery with a balloon. However, most current angioplasty methods also include inserting a small wire-mesh tube called a stent into the artery. The stent is maintained in place permanently to improve blood flow, says a renowned cardiologist, providing angioplasty surgery in Kolkata.

 

 

When should a coronary angioplasty be performed?

Like all other organs in the body, the heart requires a steady flow of blood. The coronary arteries supply this. These arteries can become restricted and hardened with age, resulting in coronary heart disease.

When the blood supply to the heart is reduced, it can cause angina, a type of chest pain typically induced by physical activity or stress. While angina is often treatable with medicine, a coronary angioplasty may be required to restore blood flow to the heart in severe cases where medication is inadequate. Coronary angioplasties are also frequently utilized as a life-saving procedure following a heart attack, says the best angioplasty doctor in Kolkata.

What are the advantages of undergoing a coronary angioplasty?

In most cases, angioplasty improves blood flow through the coronary arteries. Many people report that their symptoms improve dramatically following the treatment and that they can do more than they could prior to the procedure.

According to the angioplasty surgeon in Kolkata, if you've had a heart attack, an angioplasty can significantly improve your chances of survival over and above clot-busting drugs. Additionally, the surgery may decrease your risk of having another heart attack in the future.

Are there any other possibilities?

A coronary artery bypass graft may be considered if several coronary arteries have been clogged and restricted or if the arteries' anatomy is irregular.

This is a sort of invasive surgery in which healthy blood artery sections are harvested from other body places and connected to the coronary arteries. Blood is routed into these channels to avoid constricted or obstructed arteries, says the angioplasty treatment doctor in Kolkata.

Signs That Indicate You Might Need An Angioplasty Surgery

Angioplasty has become a highly effective therapy for opening blocked arteries that deliver blood to your brain, heart, arms, kidneys and legs. This minimally invasive technique can eliminate the need for open surgery and spare you weeks of healing time needed for conventional methods such as cardiac artery bypass.

The best angioplasty doctor in Kolkata talks about the signs of blocked or narrowed arteries and how angioplasty can help.

 

 

Symptoms of atherosclerosis that may indicate the need for angioplasty

Atherosclerosis is when plaque builds up in the inner lining of an artery, causing thickening or hardening of the arteries. The symptoms of this condition include:

Chest pain

Coronary arteries affect your heart muscle, so a blockage can generate pain around the organ. Angioplasty can clear blocked arteries and reduce the chest pain associated with less blood flow to your heart. 

Emergency angioplasty is often utilized as a life-saving measure during a heart attack to quickly open a blocked coronary artery and reduce permanent damage to the muscle.

Arm or leg pain

Muscle pain linked to blocked peripheral arteries, which carry blood to the regions outside your heart, is most typical in the legs. The discomfort can worsen with movements such as walking or cycling and reduce with rest. However, as the condition advances, the pain can become persistent and severe.

Skin changes and swelling in the lower extremities

Blockages or narrowing in the arteries that carry blood to the legs often causes skin discoloration, swelling and slow-healing skin wounds, as well as gangrene, which can lead to amputation, says the best angioplasty doctor in Kolkata.

Symptoms of a stroke

Blockages in the carotid arteries, which carry blood to your brain, can result in confusion, sudden weakness, dizziness, numbness, problem walking and other indications of a stroke. Note that a stroke is a life-threatening emergency that needs immediate medical care.

However, when your signs are severe or do not respond to conservative therapies, angioplasty can be the most suitable treatment option for reducing your symptoms and lowering your chances of further complications from atherosclerosis, says the best angioplasty doctor in Kolkata.