Balloon Angioplasty
A minimally invasive cardiac catheterization procedure used to open narrow and
blocked arteries
Uses a long, thin tube (catheter) with a small balloon on its tip. The balloon is inflated at the blockage site to flatten or compress plaque against the artery wall.
Key features
- Typically performed in a cardiac catheterization laboratory
- Usually takes about 1.5 to 2.5 hours
- Often followed by stent placement to keep the artery open
- Can be done through the groin (femoral artery) or wrist (radial artery)
Conditions treated:
- Coronary artery disease (CAD)
- Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
- Carotid artery disease
- In-stent restenosis
Procedure details:
- A small incision is made to access the artery
- The catheter is guided to the blocked area using X-ray imaging
- Contrast dye may be injected to visualize the blockage
- The balloon is inflated to compress the plaque
- The balloon may be inflated and deflated multiple times
- If needed, a stent is placed to keep the artery open
Advantages
- Less invasive than open-heart surgery
- Shorter hospital stay (typically 1-3 days)
- Faster recovery time
- Can be lifesaving in heart attack situations
- Improves blood flow and reduces symptoms like chest pain
Potential risks:
- Bleeding or bruising at the insertion site
- Infection
- Allergic reaction to the dye or medications
- Damage to blood vessels
- Blood clots
- Restenosis (re-narrowing of the artery)
What PATIENTS SAYS !!
Vishal Saxena
Heart Patient
I am grateful to Dr Gautam Swaroop for the medical treatment provided to me during my stay at Sahara hospital,when we lost all hopes ...We believe our prayers was answered by competent,composed and caring Dr Gautam swaroop...
Ram Dev Maurya
Heart Patient
I am really happy to quote that generally doctors after doing surgery and operations...immediately after the operation there is poor accessibility of doctors but Dr gautam swaroop is always available for his patient 24*7
Bechan prasad mishra
Heart Patient
30 minutes after my heart attack I was rushed to Sahara hospital Dr. gautam swaroop put a Life saving stent immediately....and i am alive ....whenever I go and meet Dr. Gautam Swaroop for regular checkup I always feel I am in safe hands
Ranjan Kumar singh
Heart Patient
My patient was on ventilator because of heart attack. We were refused from all hospitals in Lucknow including LARI cardiology. We had lost hope. We admitted under Dr Gautam Swaroop. He did Angioplasty on ventilator and he saved my Father’s life. He has got miraculous hand.My whole family is thankful to him. He is next to God for us.
FAQ
Balloon angioplasty is a minimally invasive heart procedure used to open blocked or narrowed arteries. A small balloon is inflated inside the artery to improve blood flow, often followed by placing a stent to keep the artery open.
Your doctor may recommend balloon angioplasty if you have coronary artery disease, which causes reduced blood flow to the heart due to plaque buildup. This procedure helps relieve chest pain, improve breathing, and reduce heart attack risk.
A thin tube (catheter) with a balloon at the tip is inserted through a small cut in your wrist or groin. The balloon is guided to the blocked artery and inflated to widen the artery. A stent may be placed to keep it open.
The procedure is usually done under local anesthesia with light sedation. You may feel mild pressure, but most patients do not experience pain during the procedure.
The procedure typically lasts 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on how many arteries are treated.
Yes, balloon angioplasty is generally safe and effective, especially when performed by experienced cardiologists. As with any procedure, there are small risks, which your doctor will explain in detail.
Recovery is usually quick. Many patients are discharged the same day or next day and can return to light activities within a few days. Full recovery depends on your overall health and lifestyle.
In most cases, a stent is placed after balloon angioplasty to help keep the artery open long-term. Your doctor will decide based on your artery condition.
To keep your arteries healthy, your doctor will recommend:
- A heart-healthy diet
- Regular exercise
- Quitting smoking
- Taking prescribed medications
- Managing blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol
Yes. By restoring proper blood flow, angioplasty can reduce your risk of heart attack, especially if done early when symptoms appear. However, long-term prevention depends on healthy lifestyle habits and follow-up care.
