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The heart is the engine of the life-train that pulls our body at the perfect pace on the track of life to remain healthy, active and alive. But due to unhealthy eating or lifestyle habits, the heart can be vulnerable to some diseases that over time can be life-threatening and are often detected when the arteries around the heart are blocked upto 90% which starts compromising the basic life-sustaining functions of the body. Angioplasty is a lifesaving heart procedure that has revolutionized the medical science branch of cardiology. It’s a minor surgery with no major scars or is minimally invasive medical technique designed to widen and open the blocked arteries, insert a stent to help the blocked area remain open after the procedure and restore normal blood flow circulation to the heart and also the entire body. Dr. Viveka Kumar is an expert, experienced and successful senior cardiologist at Max Super Speciality Hospital in Saket, New Delhi who is an expert in Angioplasty and Multi Vessel Angioplasty (widening more than one artery). In this blog, we’ll decode the morse-code-like secrets of the massive benefits of angioplasty, understand the medical procedure correctly, and learn more about some valuable insights into the swift recovery process after the treatment.
Better Understanding the Medical Procedure of Angioplasty
Angioplasty is technically known as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in cardiology. The procedure is performed to widen the narrowed-out or obstructed blood vessels, usually present in the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart for purification. This procedure is extremely essential for all patients who are suffering from atherosclerosis, where high amounts of plaque can build up on the artery walls, which results in reduced blood circulation to the heart and increased risk of heart attack as well as development of other heart diseases.
The Angioplasty Procedure, How it is Performed?
The angioplasty procedure is conducted by expert and experienced cardiologists like Dr. Viveka Kumar in New Delhi and involves the following 5 steps:
1. Preparation of Procedure:
In the beginning of the procedure, the patient is usually sedated only enough to keep the procedure going without any challenges but also ensuring the patient is awake during the procedure. Local anaesthesia is applied in safe dozes to the insertion site, usually in the thigh or wrist.
2. Catheter Insertion:
Then a thin, flexible medical tube called a catheter (certified for medical surgery) is inserted into the veins and guided painlessly towards the blocked coronary artery and navigates expertly using live X-ray imaging.
3. Balloon Inflation:
Once the catheter reaches the found blockage, a small medical balloon is inflated at the tip of the catheter to widen the area to restore a healthy blood flow. This balloon when inflated presses the accumulated plaque against the artery wall and increases the blood flow.
4. Stent Placement:
After this, a stent (a small cylindrical medical wire of mesh tube) is carefully placed at the site of the blockage or blockages. The stent is responsible for remaining in the artery and opening the blocked area for longer and also preventing re-narrowing of the same artery.
5. Closing the Insertion Site:
After placing a stent for the blockage or multiple stents for the blockages, all the medical tools are extracted from the body except the stents and the insertion site is closed which marks the completion of the procedure.
Learning the Secret Benefits of Angioplasty:
1. Minimally Invasive:
Against traditional open-heart surgery, angioplasty is minimally invasive and safer for patients because it involves small incisions which takes a negligible toll on the body. This significantly reduces the risk of many heart complications and makes heartbeats healthier again.
2. Quick Recovery:
Patients who decide to go through angioplasty always experience a faster complete recovery (less than a week) compared to those who undergo bypass surgery (recovery period 6-8 weeks minimum). Most heart patients are able to return to their normal activities in less than 10 days maximum.
3. Immediate Relief:
Angioplasty delivers the actual desired results of immediate relief from all heart disease symptoms such as chest pain (angina), shortness of breath and more by restoring a healthy blood flow to the heart thus, improving the blood circulation in the entire body.
4. Reduced Risk of Heart Attack:
When all blocked arteries or just one is opened and allowed to remain open by angioplasty, it significantly reduces the risk of future heart attacks and the development of other cardiovascular diseases.
The Agile Recovery Process of Angioplasty:
1. Immediate Post-Procedure Care:
After the procedure is completed, patients are monitored with expert supervision in the recovery rooms of the ICU. All the vital signs, such as heart rate, blood pressure and more are under the observation of doctors. The insertion site which was used for angioplasty is also checked for any signs of bleeding or any other healthy-life hampering complications.
2. Hospital Stay:
The majority of patients are known to stay in the hospital for a mere one to two days following the procedure of angioplasty. During the hospitalisation time, doctors will confirm the procedure is successful after monitoring all vital signs of life and declare the patient’s health is stable.
3. Lifestyle Changes:
It is important to note that, adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle is necessary to reap all the fruitful benefits of angioplasty. This should include a well-balanced diet, regular sweating through exercise, quitting smoking or tobacco, and avoiding stress at all times.
4. Medications:
All Patients are prescribed with necessary medications in case of emergency situations and everyday life to prevent blood clots, lower cholesterol, and control blood pressure to lead a healthy long life. It’s extremely essential to take these medications in accordance with and as directed by a qualified healthcare provider.
5. Follow-Up Appointments:
It is advised to schedule regular follow-up appointments with a cardiologist who can monitor heart health, measure positive outcomes and confirm the stent is functioning correctly as it should.
Conclusion: Choose Angioplasty and Get Free from Heart Diseases with Swift Recovery
Angioplasty is a powerful weapon in the arsenal of cardiologist all around the world to win the fight against coronary artery diseases. It offers numerous benefits to heart patients like immediate pain and symptom relief, better circulation of blood for long-term heart health and many more. After understanding the procedure of Angiography we can conclude its life blessing advantages come with healthy lifestyle modifications that are essential to live a healthy long life full of cherished memories. For all heart patients please consult an experienced cardiologist at the earliest for best results. Dr. Viveka Kumar is the Principal Director & Chief of Cath Labs (Pan Max) at Max Super Speciality Hospital who can provide angioplasty and multivessel angioplasty to heart patients for a better life ahead. Remember, with the expertise of skilled as well as experienced cardiologists, angioplasty will continue to save innumerable lives and boost the well-being of countless heartbeats worldwide.
