Angioplasty in a Nutshell - Procedure, Risks and Recovery Time

Has your cardiologist suggested that you get an angioplasty surgery done in the near future? If yes, you may find yourself wondering what this procedure can do for you. A true medical marvel, angioplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that can restore blood flow to the heart without opening up the chest. The usual reasons for recommending an angioplasty surgery are:

• Frequent or severe angina (chest pain) that is not responding to medicine and lifestyle changes, or
• Evidence of severely reduced blood flow (ischemia) to an area of heart muscle caused by one narrowed coronary artery

Procedure and Risks

Angioplasty is a procedure in which a narrowed section of the coronary artery is widened by inserting a stent in the affected area. There are different types of angioplasty stents and your cardiologist will choose one that best matches your needs. An angioplasty is done using a thin, soft tube called a catheter. The surgeon inserts the catheter into a blood vessel in the groin or wrist and carefully guides the catheter through blood vessels until it reaches the blocked portion of the coronary artery.  The procedure may take 30 to 90 minutes. After angioplasty, you will be moved to a recovery room or to the coronary care unit. Your heart rate, pulse and blood pressure will be closely monitored and the catheter insertion site will be checked for bleeding. While angioplasty can save lives, there are still a few risks associated with the procedure. Bleeding at the puncture site, damage to the blood vessel at the puncture site, sudden closure of the coronary artery, heart attack, re-closure of the dilated blood vessel (restenosis), etc., are a few things that your doctor and you will have to watch out for immediately after surgery.

Recovery after Angioplasty

After your procedure, you might attend a cardiac rehabilitation program or your cardiologist may give you advice on recovering and building healthy habits such as eating right and getting more exercise. Exercise is an extremely important part of your recovery program. You will also be advised to take different types of medications, such as anti-platelet medicines, to help prevent another heart attack or a stroke.  It is essential that you take these medicines exactly as prescribed.

We, here at Medi Assist, are committed to making your hospitalization experience as hassle-free as possible! Plan your angioplasty procedure in advance with MediBuddy’s eCashless feature and avail provisional pre-authorization for cashless hospitalization at a network hospital, right from the comfort of your home!

And, if you happen to have your surgery at a non-network hospital, do not fret! You can raise a reimbursement claim and track its status in real-time with MediBuddy. You can also search for hospitals within your insurer’s network and filter them by location, specialities, amenities, room types, etc., and pick one that best matches your needs.

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