This procedure is most commonly recommended for people who have had a heart attack. However, angioplasty may be advisable for other situations. These include:
The patient has been diagnosed with coronary artery disease or narrowing of the arteries. In this case, angioplasty may be a preventative measure against arterial blockage.
The patient has hardened or narrowed arteries as a result of atherosclerosis.
The patient has had an abnormal stress test result.
Doctors have found peripheral artery disease, which is narrowing of the blood vessels in the limbs.
Arteries in the kidneys have narrowed as a result of high blood pressure.
The patient has narrowing veins in the legs, arms, torso, neck, or chest.
Reduced blood flow to the heart is causing chest pain.
Reduced blood flow to the brain caused by carotid artery stenosis.
Angioplasty is a necessary procedure that is performed in a variety of situations that involve narrowed or blocked arteries or reduced blood flow to the heart or brain. Patients with any condition involving these types of blockages are usually good candidates for angioplasty.