Few of the most common risks of angioplasty are blood clotting and bleeding. Bleeding is the most common risk. This is because an incision has to be made to insert the catheter into the blood vessels. Thus bleeding occurs from the incision site. This generally heals within a few days’ time. If it does not, the doctor needs to be consulted. Blood clots may occur where the stents are placed in case of coronary angioplasty. These clots close the artery and thus the patient may be susceptible to a heart attack. Medications need to be taken to reduce the risk of blood clotting. The doctor prescribes such medicines and it is important to know that for how long such medications need to be taken.
What is the Success Rate of Angioplasty?
The process of angioplasty is accomplished by widening the blocked blood vessels to maintain a steady supply of blood flow to the different organs of the body. The most common form of angioplasty is the coronary angioplasty which involves widening of the narrowed arteries to the increase blood flow to the heart muscles. Coronary angioplasty is successful for over 90% of the patients. There remains a chance of 30% to 40% of patients undergoing coronary angioplasty to develop recurrent blockage at the site of the angioplasty. This can be avoided by the proper medical help and living a healthy lifestyle.
What are the Long-Term Results of an Angioplasty?
Initially, chest pain, jaw pain and other symptoms of coronary heart diseases would be gone. The long-term results of undergoing an angioplasty depend on the maintenance of the newly cleared blood vessels. If proper care is taken, blockages go do not recur and the steady supply of blood to different body parts are maintained. In case of coronary angioplasty, if blockages are not formed again, the risks of heart attack get reduced. A chance of stroke reduces.
Can Arteries Reclose after an Angioplasty?
In over a third of patients who have undergone angioplasty, the arteries can suffer from re-blockages. This happens when proper care cannot be taken. Although stent placement reduces the risks of re-blockages, in order to get long-term benefits, care must be taken.
How to Take Care after Angioplasty?
An angioplasty removes the blockages so formed out of plaque from the blood vessels. After the procedure is done, patients do have to take care of themselves so that the blockages do not reappear. Patients have to bring few lifestyle changes so that the angioplasty so done becomes worthy.
- Plaque is made up of fatty deposits. Thus steps should be taken to reduce obesity and shed the excessive fat.
- Steps have to be taken to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol level.
- Smoking and drinking should be avoided.
- Steps should be taken to eat a balanced diet and refrain from oily food.
What are the Various Kinds of Angioplasty?
Although coronary angioplasty is the most common form, there are various kinds-
- Peripheral Angioplasty- This is done to treat blocked arteries of abdomen, leg and renal arteries caused by peripheral artery diseases. This is done by insertion of a balloon to clear out a blood vessel outside the coronary arteries.
- Carotid Angioplasty- This is done for the removal of blockages in arteries present in the patient’s neck that lead to the brain. It reduces the risk of stroke due to such blockages.
- Venous Angioplasty- This is done by the removal of blockages from the veins present in the pathway from lower neck to the armpit.
- Coronary Angioplasty- This is primarily the most common type of angioplasty to treat the narrow coronary arteries of the heart.
