Angioplasty

Angioplasty is a procedure to open up the clogged arteries and improve blood flow to the heart. Our heart specialists have years of experience performing angioplasty procedures.

Angioplasty: Advanced Care in Virginia

You may need angioplasty if you have coronary artery disease, a condition in which the coronary arteries are too narrow or blocked. Coronary artery disease prevents the heart from getting enough oxygen-rich blood. This lack of oxygen can cause chest pain, shortness of breath or even heart attack. Learn more about coronary artery disease.

Angioplasty is, unfortunately, relatively common. More than 1 million people in the U.S. undergo the procedure each year. You may also hear people refer to it as percutaneous coronary intervention or balloon angioplasty.

Angioplasty: What to Expect

The goal of angioplasty is to open up your arteries to allow blood to flow easily. During the procedure, we will:

• Insert a catheter (a small, flexible tube) with a balloon on its tip into the artery in your groin area.
• Thread the catheter to the affected coronary arteries.
• Expand the balloon to widen and stretch the artery. This process pushes plaque away and improves blood flow.

We may place a stent during angioplasty. The stent expands with the balloon, attaches to the artery wall and supports the artery to reduce the chance of future narrowing or blockage.